Mind the Gap!

A predictable Arizona Republic op-ed by Goldwater Institute’s Darcy Olson opposes full-day kindergarten by arguing that “data show the majority of children at the onset of kindergarten have the skills that are the foundation for school achievement.” Never mind that the same Education Department data show massive preparation gaps for disadvantaged and minority kindergarteners. And it’s these kids who stand to benefit the most from full-day kindergarten.

Afterthought: Olson calls Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano’s all-day kindergarten proposal “a problem in search of a solution.” Leave aside evidence that suggests all-day kindergarten is a promising response to the very real problem of preparation gaps. Given the Goldwater Institute’s penchant for proposing vouchers as a response to every educational ill, this strikes Eduwonk as the pot calling the kettle black.

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