EARLY EDUCATION

The Cape Girardeau School District is considering an expansion of its all-day kindergarten. The district has offered all-day kindergarten at May Greene for a number of years using federal funding. Now it may be expanded to Franklin, Jefferson and Washington schools, which currently have half-day programs.

The school board discussed the possibility of all-day kindergarten at its last meeting but reached no consensus. It is good the board didn't rush into a decision that certainly isn't clear-cut. Part of the consideration is space. which would limit where the district can offer all-day kindergarten.

Is the school board considering all-day kindergarten because it is good for the students or because it will bring in more state money? Senate Bill 380 provides funding incentives for all-day kindergarten. All-day kindergartners also could be counted as full-time students.

If all-day kindergarten is good for children, then the district should offer it at all six elementary attendance centers. It wouldn't be fair to exclude two of the elementary schools -- Alma Schrader and Clippard -- because of space.

Many educators feel all-day kindergarten helps get students off to a good start in reading and math. If that is true, all Cape Girardeau students should be afforded the same opportunity.

Perhaps school choice would be an option for parents in Alma Schrader and Clippard who would prefer all-day kindergarten. They could choose a different school, where there is room, to send their children for the all-day kindergarten option.

The Cape Girardeau district will hold its kindergarten roundup next week. Children who will be 5 years old before July 1 are eligible to register. This registration is essential for district planning, especially if all-day kindergarten will be implemented this fall. The district limits class size to 25 children per class. If enrollments exceed that limit, some children will be transferred to another school.

Many parents may be receptive to all-day kindergarten, because many of these children are already in day care. The all-day kindergarten would offer these parents a financial savings.

The district might want to wait on all-day kindergarten until it can offer it in all elementary attendance centers. It could be a sales point with voters as the district continues future building needs.