Pre-K and Kindergarten: Looking for the Right Mix

When it comes to public education, pre-k is important and so is kindergarten. But how much of each? Is all-day kindergarten more important than pre-k?

A new Center for Public Education report looks at the various combinations of pre-k and kindergarten on third grade reading skills in order to provide important information to educators and policymakers. Some of the report’s findings are striking. It found that students who attend pre-k and half day kindergarten are more likely to have higher third grade reading skills than students who attend full-day kindergarten alone. Also, the impact of pre-K and half day kindergarten was the greatest on minority children, English language learners, and children from low-income families.