This decision marks Beavercreek Schools’ first foray into all-day/every day kindergarten. Administrators considered a move to an all-day/every day schedule for at least 10 years, and reviewed a wide variety of literature on the topic. They also spoke with personnel from other districts about the costs and benefits of such programs. Beavercreek offered half-day kindergarten until 2011-12, when budget cuts led school leaders to institute an all-day/alternating day program to realize economies offered by transporting kindergarteners to school with elementary school students.
U.S. Census data indicates that 531 students living within Beavercreek School District boundaries will be eligible for kindergarten in August of 2014. Since the district instituted its Beavercreek Board of Education institutes All-Day, Every Day Kindergarten, page 2 of 2 all-day/alternating day program, enrollment has hovered at approximately 375 students each year. If enrollment remains at this level, district leaders expect to hire 8 to 10 additional kindergarten teachers to staff the all-day/every day program.
McGlothlin said an all-day/every day program will allow the district to double instructional time in every kindergarten classroom and expand opportunities for in-depth, age-appropriate instruction in core subjects (English Language Arts and mathematics). Classes will have more time available for the study of science, social studies, art, music and physical education. And the all-day/every day schedule will help teachers become better acquainted with individual students’ needs while offering additional opportunities for one-on-one instruction and communication with parents.
Enhanced social interaction is another benefit of all-day/every day programs, and one that helps children prepare for the transition to first grade. “We believe that all-day/every day kindergarten will allow our district to better address students’ short- and long-term educational needs, and we plan to review the program annually to ensure its effectiveness,” said McGlothlin.
