BOE votes to start 4K in September 2011

The Madison Board of Education (BOE) approved a plan to begin 4-year-old kindergarten beginning in the 2011 school year. The BOE was deadlocked 3-3 on the decision to commence 4K starting this fall, with some members expressing concern about financing the initiative, citing uncertainty about the state's fiscal situation and how that will affect Madison's state aid.

Due to the nuances of the 4K state aid formula, in the first year of a new 4K program aid is provided for only one-third of students, with reimbursement for two-thirds of students  provided by the state in second year. Full aid comes in the program's third year. BOE President Arlene Silveira said, "I'm very supportive of four-year-old kindergarten, it's the financing that gives me the most unrest."

4K will be a part-day program, designed to focus on social emotional and cognitive skills that will help prepare children for kindergarten.  The program will be offered in a developmentally appropriate setting that is play-based and child-centered.

4K will be offered in both MMSD school buildings as well as in child care centers in the community. This "collaborative community partnership" model has been promoted by both Governor Jim Doyle and officials in the Department of Public Instruction.

The district has been examining the feasibility of creating a 4K program since 2001. Over 75% of Wisconsin's school districts currently offer a 4K program. A report by the Committee for Economic Development, a non-profit, non-partisan business led public policy organization comprised of over 200 senior corporate executives and university leaders, maintains that high-quality preschool programs contribute to America's economic bottom line.

There were both fiscal and union issues that needed to be rectified. A third longstanding issue has been the program's model, worked out with local community child care centers. Union issues were satisfied in the 2009-11 contract; fiscal issues will continue to be a challenge for the first two years. The 4K program will be optional for parents. For more information about 4K, go to the district's 4K link.