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Health Equity: Full Day Kindergarten Programs

CDC

An Evidence-Based Practice

Description

Full-day kindergarten programs are provided for children ages 4 to 6 years old in a formal school or school-like setting, prior to entering first grade. The programs are 5 days a week and last 5 to 6 hours a day.

The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) recommends full-day kindergarten programs to enhance health prospects of low-income and racial and ethnic minority kindergartners. Evidence shows that full-day programs substantially improve reading and mathematics performance than when compared to half-day kindergarten or full-day kindergarten on alternating days.

Goal / Mission

The goal of full-day kindergarten programs is to prepare children academically, socially, and emotionally for effective participation in the educational system.

Impact

Children who enroll in full-day kindergarten programs see improved scores on standardized tests and assigned grades than those enrolled in half-day kindergarten programs. Those enrolled in full-day programs also see increased social-emotional health.

Results / Accomplishments

The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPTSF) found statistically significant results for students enrolled in a full-day kindergarten program. In 50 studies, CPTSF found scores on standardized achievement tests or assigned grades improved by the end of kindergarten or the beginning of first grade.

Since early academic achievement is an established determinant of long-term academic and health-related outcomes, improvements in academic achievement among low-income and racial and ethnic minority children can be expected to improve their long-term health.

Additionally, one study showed students who participated in full-day kindergarten programs showed an increased ability to work and play with others.

About this Promising Practice

Primary Contact
The Community Guide
1600 Clifton Rd, NE
MS E69
Atlanta, GA 30329
(404) 498-1827
communityguide@cdc.gov
https://www.thecommunityguide.org/
Topics
Education / Student Performance K-12
Education
For more details
https://www.thecommunityguide.org/findings/health-...
Target Audience
Children

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An Evidence-Based Practice meets the following HCI criteria:

  1. The program description includes at a minimum: the sponsoring organization, program goals, program implementation steps, and outcomes that have demonstrated program success in achieving the program goal in one or more localities.
  2. The results from an evaluation of the program include quantitative measures showing improvement in the outcome(s) of interest after the implementation of the program (i.e. increase in smoking cessation, not just the delivery of a smoking cessation program). The outcome measure(s) is/are compared at relevant time periods before and after the intervention or program implementation. Alternatively, the evaluation study compares the outcome(s) between an intervention group and an appropriate control group.
  3. The study is of peer-review quality and presents numbers in a scientific manner; measurements of precision and reliability are included (e.g. confidence intervals, standard errors), results from statistical tests show a significant difference or change in the outcome measure(s), and relevant point estimates and p-values are presented. Note: if the results from an evaluation of a program are presented in a scientific manner and the outcome measure is improved compared to the baseline measurement or the control group but the difference is not statistically significant, the practice is classified as effective and not evidence-based.