Tippecanoe Exempted Village Schools

1. Tippecanoe ExemptedVillage Schools Where Excellence is a Tradition

2. All-Day Kindergarten Preparation for first grade. Preparation for the future. Community Presentation January 30, 2014

3. Meet Our Kindergarten Teachers • Our Teachers….. …bring out the best in our kids.

4. HOWEVER, Kindergarten Expectations Are Changing! Then: ABC’s, circle time, play time, coloring Now: reading, writing, math, enrichment

5. It is time to seriously considerfull-day kindergarten. Variables have changed necessitating the need for the district to seriously consider full-day kindergarten as a viable option to help children succeed and meet the new academic requirements. The bar has been raised.

6. The bar has been raised! Newly adopted state learning standards are in place to ensure that students receive a relevant and rigorous education. The state adopted these standards to better prepare students for higher-level literacy and mathematics skills demanded by colleges and the labor force. There is a greater emphasis on earlier preparation.

7. What is different? • First grade reading expectations are higher. • Students need to enter first grade with stronger reading, writing and math foundations. • Every student is expected to be reading on grade level by third grade as demonstrated on a state assessment. • There is a significant change in curriculum standards.

8. What is different? • The pace of instruction has increased substantially. • Students are expected to be readers by the end of the year, when before we were making them “reading ready” for first grade. • Math standards have increased to learning addition and subtraction, applying concepts, and problem solving. • With increased standards time is limited for teaching students social skills, an essential component of development and working with others.

9. Challenges of Today The new challenges facing kindergarten teachers are: • More rigorous curricular standards • Increased district expectations • Third Grade Reading Guarantee Our students are being assessed by the state against students who are attending full-day kindergarten.

10. Supporting Research Substantial research supports that these positive outcomes from full-day kindergarten programs are attributed to the enhanced learning and activities that are facilitated by the longer day.

11. Benefits of Full-Day Kindergarten • A developmentally appropriate full day program benefits children socially, emotionally and academically. • Teachers report greater learning and progress for full-day students in reading, math and general skills. • Children in full-day programs score higher on achievement tests in later grades than those in half-day programs.

12. Benefits of Full-Day Kindergarten • A full-day program allows students to experience more developmentally appropriate learning activities that include purposeful play and creative opportunities. • A full-day program promotes greater independent learning.  • Children in full-day programs make greater gains with social, emotional and behavioral development than those in half-day programs.

13. Benefits of Full-Day Kindergarten A full-day program allows students to learn in a more relaxed atmosphere without the stress of significant time constraints. • There is ample time for creative programs. • A more relaxed atmosphere for students is more conducive to learning and development. • Less stress improves a child’s outlook on school that in turn fosters a greater love for learning. • Less stress is better for one’s overall physical and mental health.

14. Benefits of Full-Day Kindergarten Students in full-day kindergarten programs: • have better attendance • enjoy more continuity of instruction • are less likely to repeat a grade • adjust better to first grade • have less need for remedial services

15. The Gift of Time A full-day program allows teachers to know their students better and provides increased opportunities to observe their learning. This deeper understanding allows teachers to: • better identify possible learning issues • implement intervention strategies • tailor instruction to meet individual learning needs • develop activities appropriate for their abilities and needs • give students more individualized attention

16. The Gift of Time Increased instructional time will give kindergarten students: • more opportunity for enrichment and extensions of lessons • more relaxed atmosphere with the absence of being hurried • more time for fine and gross motor skill practice • more time for creative activities and hands-on projects

17. The Gift of Time Children in full-day programs have increased positive child-teacher interactions than their half-day peers. This promotes stronger academic and social growth. Increased instructional time will help our kindergarten students meet the new challenges of today’s education and changing expectations of kindergarteners.

18. A possible typical day…. ***Must be integrated into another area

19. Parent and Guardian Feedback 163 respondents of this year’s kindergarten and first grade studentsSUPPORT a full-day program. The top reasons are: • better preparation for first grade • more teaching time • improved schedule for working parents • more one-on-one time with teacher

20. Parent and Guardian Feedback 45 respondents of this year’s kindergarten and first grade students don’t support a full-day program. The top reasons are: • day is too long • childhood is shortened • not mentally ready • too young

21. Today’s Child Kindergarten teachers say there is a change in the type of student coming to school. The changes include: • increase in behavioral issues • increase in number of students diagnosed with special needs • students coming less prepared for the rigor of kindergarten • fewer stay-at-home parents

22. What will it cost?

23. What will it cost? Currently, each kindergarten student is counted as a half enrollee, keeping the district on the budget “guarantee.” With full-day kindergarten, our enrollment number will increase taking Tipp City off of the “guarantee.” This brings more state funding to the district. Additional state funding supports the cost to implement this initiative.

24. Full-Day Kindergarten • “A full day would give us the chance to teach in a way that the students learn best, using developmentally appropriate activities and pacing. The pace of a full day would allow us time to complete activities more in depth, give more time for hands-on activities, give students time to process the content, and give all of us a chance to breathe.” The Kindergarten Teachers

25. Questions???