The general assembly hereby finds and declares as follows:
(1) According to the National Center for Education Statistics, children in full-day kindergarten classes make greater academic gains in both reading and mathematics compared to those in half-day classes;
(2) According to Kids Count RI, full-day kindergarten can contribute to closing academic achievement gaps between lower and higher income children;
(3) According to the National Center for Education Statistics, full-day kindergarten classes are more likely than half-day classes to instruct students daily in the areas of mathematics, social studies and science; and
(4) According to Kids Count RI, children in full-day kindergarten are more likely to be ready for first grade than those in half-day programs, regardless of family income, parental education and school characteristics.
History of Section.
P.L. 2012, ch. 372, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 382, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 141, art. 6, § 1.