Post by gatordog on Mar 19, 2010 13:20:10 GMT -5
First, let me put down my personal thinking from over a year ago on ADK vs HDK. Then, I talked with some people about this and did some reading. (I didnt post detailed stuff at the time.... wish I took a little time then to do so, oh well)
Of course, like many things involving people.... the data can be conflicting and tough to fully understand. Experts argue over this.
Some further background : certainly the SD and all the ES principals have a Power Point pitch about the benefits of ADK . I think we discussed this some on this message board maybe, but I know there was some skepticism about this being a neutral and unbiased presentation. (The one I went to was clearly not).
My general conclusion was ADK may well provide short-term boost in standardized test scores (2nd, 3rd grade) , but no evidence of long term benefit (by 5th grade any small effects are basically gone). Gains seem to be more pronounce in disadvantaged students. There could be some intangible socialization benefits from ADK, too.
Ultimately, to me, I think its a personal choice based mostly on a parents knowledge of their own child. Also, there is an element of of a lifestyle choice. I do support such a program for those kids who may be behind in readiness for whatever reason. But a supported kid will not be behind academically. Bottom line Its great to have ADK for your child if they are ready for it and desire it, but also HDK is great. Parents will make good choices. (One thing in particular I regret: they way the K program is structured with all HDK at one shcool only, the SD really doesnt give much of a parent choice for HDK.)
Here are some links I found:
www.thefreelibrary.com/The+effects+of+full-day+versus+half-day+kindergarten+on+the...-a0137871938
www.indiana.edu/~ceep/projects/PDF/FDK_report_final.pdf
www.americandaily.com/article/17601
(this one may be a bit politically slanted)
One thing I wasnt thinking so much about a year ago was cost. Even the proponents of ADK acknowledge that it is relatively expensive (see the Indiana report). From that report, they say that while there is a 100% incr in teacher hours, it translates to only a 40-50% gain in academic enrichment. So the cost-per-educational hr is not so favorable. (If one were dealing with a five yr old all day, that percentage seems to pretty much make sense, or even really show pros at work
Of course, like many things involving people.... the data can be conflicting and tough to fully understand. Experts argue over this.
Some further background : certainly the SD and all the ES principals have a Power Point pitch about the benefits of ADK . I think we discussed this some on this message board maybe, but I know there was some skepticism about this being a neutral and unbiased presentation. (The one I went to was clearly not).
My general conclusion was ADK may well provide short-term boost in standardized test scores (2nd, 3rd grade) , but no evidence of long term benefit (by 5th grade any small effects are basically gone). Gains seem to be more pronounce in disadvantaged students. There could be some intangible socialization benefits from ADK, too.
Ultimately, to me, I think its a personal choice based mostly on a parents knowledge of their own child. Also, there is an element of of a lifestyle choice. I do support such a program for those kids who may be behind in readiness for whatever reason. But a supported kid will not be behind academically. Bottom line Its great to have ADK for your child if they are ready for it and desire it, but also HDK is great. Parents will make good choices. (One thing in particular I regret: they way the K program is structured with all HDK at one shcool only, the SD really doesnt give much of a parent choice for HDK.)
Here are some links I found:
www.thefreelibrary.com/The+effects+of+full-day+versus+half-day+kindergarten+on+the...-a0137871938
www.indiana.edu/~ceep/projects/PDF/FDK_report_final.pdf
www.americandaily.com/article/17601
(this one may be a bit politically slanted)
One thing I wasnt thinking so much about a year ago was cost. Even the proponents of ADK acknowledge that it is relatively expensive (see the Indiana report). From that report, they say that while there is a 100% incr in teacher hours, it translates to only a 40-50% gain in academic enrichment. So the cost-per-educational hr is not so favorable. (If one were dealing with a five yr old all day, that percentage seems to pretty much make sense, or even really show pros at work