Research shows that the first years of a child’s life are crucial for brain development and in closing the achievement gaps between children in lower and higher socioeconomic groups. However, not all states offer kindergarten to all students. Furthermore, of the states that do offer kindergarten, the majority only offer half-day kindergarten. Studies show that children who attend full-day kindergarten show stronger academic gains than children who attend half-day kindergarten.

Although kindergarten is widely recognized as the start of a K-12 education, quality standards and policies in kindergarten are not always aligned with those of the following grades. Children often have inconsistent or inequitable experiences, which result in rough transitions from kindergarten to first grade. States should address these inconsistencies by aligning and strengthening kindergarten policies.

States are assessed on the following criteria:

• Does the state require districts to offer full-day kindergarten? Decisions about whether to offer kindergarten should not be left to local control. The only way to ensure that all students in a state have access to kindergarten is to require all districts in the state to offer full-day kindergarten.
• Does the state set kindergarten standards? Kindergarten is not just about quantity, it’s also about quality. One way states can help ensure quality is by setting standards that define expectations around what kindergarteners should know and be able to do.
• Does the state require kindergarten teachers to possess certificates or training in early childhood education? Research shows that the quality of teachers has a clear impact on learning. Most kindergarten teachers are required to hold at least a Bachelor’s degree, since they are considered part of the K-12 system. However, only a handful of states require any other certification. States should ensure kindergarten teachers are proficient in early learning by requiring kindergarten teachers to hold a certificate or be trained in early childhood education.