January 23, 2006	Volume 5, Number 3

4K reaches more students

Student enrollment in 4-year-old kindergarten (4K) increased by 45 percent in the past five years, a trend State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster calls an important step in raising achievement for all students and closing the achievement gap.

“Our advocacy at the state level is truly paying off for 4K programming. Our New Wisconsin Promise recognizes 4K as one of the best first steps educators can take to raise achievement for all students and close the achievement gap, essentially stopping the gap before it begins,” Burmaster said. “I am delighted to see local communities embrace the 4K concept as an important component in the educational program they offer to their families and children.”

Enrollment in 4K climbed to 20,959 students for the current school year, up from 14,482 in the 2001-02 school year. Twenty-seven districts implemented 4K programs for the current school year, bringing the total to 234 districts that offer the program. In the 2001-02 school year just 166 districts offered 4K.

“We know that the most rapid of brain development takes place in the earliest years of a child’s life, and that the first five years lay the foundation for all future social, emotional, and cognitive development,” Burmaster said. “Research supports both the educational and economic value of 4-year-old kindergarten. Not only do 4K students do better in school, research shows there are fewer referrals for special education, and students are more likely to graduate, meaning quality early childhood programs and 4-year-old kindergarten are important steps in closing the achievement gap, and are among the best investments we can make in our children and our economy.”

Wisconsin is one of the few states with a strong history of initiating formal education at the age of four. The state’s constitution calls for school districts to offer education “…free to all children between the ages of four and 20 years.” Wisconsin’s first public kindergarten opened in 1873. Beginning in 1927, the state provided aid to support 4-year-old kindergarten programs in local school districts.

Wisconsin also is a leader in pioneering ways to serve communities through collaborative approaches to 4K. Using collaborative approaches, public school educators, child care providers, and Head Start programs work together to establish services for 4-year-old children.

“Early childhood programs prepare our youngsters to learn by bridging the effects of poverty, allowing economically disadvantaged children to gain an equal footing with their peers. Offering 4K programs makes sense to help our children get started early on the road to learning and becoming productive, contributing citizens,” Burmaster said.

A list of districts that offer 4K programs is available following the complete news release.

Last updated on 1/23/2006