By Kenneth Roberts,Special to the Sun Journal

TURNER – Forums to discuss implementing full-day kindergarten in SAD 52 next fall have been scheduled for early March.

Superintendent Thomas Hanson has scheduled the forums for Wednesday, March 1, at Turner Primary School; Thursday, March 2, at Leeds Central School, and Thursday, March 9, at Greene Central School. All sessions will be begin at 6 p.m. and will run for at least an hour.

Information from district directors and faculty demonstrate that offering full-day kindergarten in Maine and the nation is a growing trend. Currently 58 percent of Maine school districts offer all-day kindergarten in at least one elementary school; just six years ago the rate was 10 percent. Nationally, nine states now mandate all-day kindergarten and more than 60 percent of school districts offer it.

The format under consideration for SAD 52 is full day programming that is available for all appropriate aged children. Parents will decide whether a child will attend all or part of the day.

That all-day structure would include five to six hours per day, with afternoon activities definitely not being simple repeats of the morning session. The additional time involved in full day will focus on individual instruction, with time for social and enrichment activities.

Half-day kindergarten offerings have been a function of immediate economics rather than educational theory, according to information available from the district. It points out that all-day kindergarten reduces the costs of education long term.

The information notes that research shows disadvantaged children obtain greater short-term benefits from all-day programs and display more positive behavior in the classroom. It further states that children in all-day programs are more engaged in independent learning and are more likely to be self-starters in the learning process.

SAD 52 administrators, directors and elementary school teachers will attend the forums to answer questions.

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