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Full day kindergarten – Both in Indiana and nationally, school districts have focused attention on the importance of early childhood education. Preparing all students to be “ready to learn” and succeed by first grade will help shrink the achievement gap among subgroups of students.
Full-day kindergarten programs result in both academic and social benefits. Teachers report significantly greater progress for full-day children compared to half-day students in literacy, math, general learning, and social skills. The full-day schedule allows for challenges that are more appropriate for children at all developmental levels.
Funding for Public Education – Over the past few years both the federal and state governments have placed many new demands on the K-12 education system. More work must be done to implement fully the state’s school accountability system and the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
Concurrently, every Hoosier is concerned about economic growth and expansion. A key element for such growth is a prepared workforce that is the result of a fully-funded education system.
The Indiana Coalition for Human Services believes that the State of Indiana should:
Ensure necessary funding and support for full-day kindergarten for all children at no cost to their parents.
All students should be “ready to learn” by first grade, thus helping to reduce the achievement gap. A full-day kindergarten schedule provides challenges that are more appropriate for children at all developmental levels.
Provide adequate funding for public education.
Tuition support is the backbone of Indiana’s K – 12 education system. For schools to respond to the requirements of both state and federal government, Indiana must provide the necessary resources and training to assist all children.
Ensure that children in special education services receive fair and equitable treatment
Children with special needs have the right to be educated along with their peers in an inclusive educational setting, with appropriate supports, so they may earn a high school diploma to enhance job placement and the continuation of higher education.
Create a higher level of school accountability, achievement and excellence beyond standardized test scores.
Many public schools are not preparing students to meet the demands of our increasingly complex society. Contributing factors include overcrowding, high teacher to student ratios, teaching toward standardized tests and outdated teaching practices and materials. By helping schools to utilize and access technology, updated
delivery methods and theories for teachers, and other resources better, public schools can better equip future generations of Hoosiers.
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