21649 Greater Mack Saint Clair Shores, MI 48080 July 17, 2012 P.O.

Box 30013 Lansing, Michigan 48909 Dear Governor Snyder, I write you today to express my concerns about the change that would require Michigan school districts to offer full day kindergarten. In return, schools adopting this change will receive fullday funding for students. With the current economic climate not all districts will be able to afford or find room to house additional classrooms. As the U.S. Department of Research and Improvements Office concluded in states [and districts] where classroom space is already at a premiumthe extra classrooms required to implement full-day kindergarten (or the funds to build new classrooms) may be unavailable (Lee, Burkman, Randy, Honigman, & Meissels, 2005, p. 26). Additionally, the restrictions on student funding for kindergarten will inhibit economic growth within the state. Fowler (2013) sees school systems as entities that create a continuously educated workforce; if this production (of work-ready and college-bound students) were to decrease or stop, it would in turn slow the growth of the economy. For example, less funding could negatively affect the caliber of students, which would have detrimental repercussions on the economy. Early studies regarding full-day kindergarten show that, full-day students scored better on certain language arts and reading criteria[but] full-day students scored significantly lower than half-day students as a whole (Saam & Nowak, 2005, p. 33). With this in mind why would the state mandate that districts offer full-day kindergarten if it does not improve the quality of education for students? Quality, according to Fowlers definition, is holding students to higher standards of excellence (2013). This policy change in no way promotes quality education. Moreover, this policy does not address or limit schools to which activities can be done during the extended time. For example, students could spend the extra hours of school napping. Would this really be an appropriate way to spend school funds? My recommendation is that full-day kindergarten should be a decision made by individual districts, not the state. This decision should not affect funding for schools as it has an adverse effect on student achievement and economic growth. Districts should, have the choice to, decide what would benefit their district and their community. Sincerely,

Katie E. Sine Kindergarten Teacher