The National School Boards Association Center for Public Education recently released their report "Starting Out Right: Pre-K and Kindergarten." This report evaluated how different approaches to early childhood effected third grade reading scores, since students who are proficient readers in third grade are more likely to be successful in future grades.
Major findings of the report included:
1. Students that attend a preschool and a half-day kindergarten have significantly higher reading levels by third grade than students who attend only a full day kindergarten.
2. Students who attend a full-day kindergarten make greater academic gains and are less likely to be retained in the early grades than students who attend half-day kindergarten.
3. Two is better then one. A combination of preschool and full day kindergarten is best; but a combination of preschool and half day kindergarten is better then full day kindergarten alone.
It seems that the B-R program of half-day preschool for two years followed by full day kindergarten gives our students the best chance for success.
