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State Representative Kim Norton
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-9249
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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REP. KIM NORTON WORKING FOR VOLUNTARY ALL DAY KINDERGARTEN
ST. PAUL – Wednesday at the Capitol, a bill co-authored by Rep. Kim Norton providing voluntary all-day kindergarten was discussed in the K-12 Finance Division. The bill was introduced on the House floor in mid-January and referred to the K-12 Finance Division shortly thereafter. The Division will be discussing this bill, and two other versions providing all-day kindergarten.
This bill would make all-day kindergarten available in every school district in Minnesota. Currently, more than 200 school districts across the state offer some form of voluntary all-day kindergarten. Individual districts fund some; others ask parents to pay all or part of the cost. But those voluntary programs serve only a small fraction of the state's 65,000 five-year olds. Rep. Kim Norton and her colleagues in the Legislature want to extend this privilege to all children to give them an equal foot to stand on as they begin their education.
"Minnesota has fallen behind 29 other states that already fund all-day kindergarten as part of a comprehensive system of public education," said Norton. "As they enter 1st grade, all Minnesota children deserve the opportunity to be fully and equally prepared for a successful academic career. Our state should not take the back seat to academic success."
Studies show students enrolled in all-day kindergarten make average learning gains comparable to at least a month of additional schooling. These students are more likely to be low income, rural or urban children, who may be more likely to enter school at below average school readiness levels. But kids from wealthy families benefit too, learning as much as those from low-income families. A recent Minneapolis Foundation study including local and national research showed that children enrolled in all-day kindergarten programs make the transition into first-grade more easily, and do better on tests that measure language and literacy skills. Studies also show that children in all-day programs help narrow achievement gaps for students of different economic and racial backgrounds.
"Children should not be denied the skills to achieve in school based on their socioeconomic circumstances, nor because of a lack of action on the part of the Legislature," said Norton. "It is our responsibility to act now to give students the tools to succeed in school. Early intervention is key."
Education is a top priority for the Legislature this session. Having served on the school board for eight years, Rep. Norton knows that school funding is arguably one of the largest and most important investments that state government makes, and studies have shown that investing early offers the best results.
In Norton's words, "In order to boost the graduation rate of high school seniors, close the gap in achievement, and increase the number those who go on to earn a college degree, taking the step toward all-day kindergarten this session for all Minnesota school districts is a good first step toward planting the seeds for success in all of our children."
News Items
- Rep. Norton Selected as Vice Chair of House Health and Human Services Finance Committee - (Posted: 2012-12-14 00:00:00)
- It’s Time for Legislature to Get Back to Basics, Balance the Budget Honestly - (Posted: 2012-12-11 00:00:00)
- Second Saturday Coffee Meeting Date Changed to December 9 - (Posted: 2012-12-03 00:00:00)
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