1. Woonsocket Education Department
Full Day Kindergarten
A Critical Need for Woonsocket’s Youngest Students
Giovanna Donoyan, PhD
Superintendent
Woonsocket Education Department
May 14,2014

2. We listened to our City residents
Presented multiple proposals over the past months to restore Full Day Kindergarten (FDK) in Woonsocket
Heard your concerns loud and clear about costs, capacity, and sustainability
Worked with the Mayor’s Office and RIDE to address concerns

3. Comprehensive proposal
Tonight we present to the Woonsocket School Committee the most comprehensive FDK proposal that:
Does not use the Middle School space
Does not move to a 5/6 Academy model
Does not increase local taxes
Ensures a teacher assistant in each kindergarten classroom.
We are 100% confident that we have designed a proposal that will be acceptable to all parties and provides the best educational opportunity to our children.

4. What we know - educationally
Too many of our children are falling behind
67% of Woonsocket K students are not reading at grade level
7-9% of Woonsocket First graders are being held back
Research shows FDK classes can produce long-term educational gains, especially for low-income and minority students
% Students reading below grade level : Woonsocket K 1 2 3
Source:
RI KIDS COUNT, May 2014
67%
53%
45%
43%

6. What we know- economically
No additional local tax funding is needed to support FDK in Woonsocket
FDK can help lower costly grade retention and remediation
FDK in Woonsocket will result in more state education aid

7. Concerns addressed Facilities issues Logistics Staffing Budget
All children remain at elementary schools and safety issues addressed
Capacity analysis shows adequate room per NESDEC enrollment analysis
Logistics
Bus and starting times not impacted
Breakfast / lunch programs are federally reimbursable
Staffing
11 new teachers, itinerants, and 11 new Paraprofessionals
Budget

9. It’s Time To Bring Back FDK!
Improve student learning
Close achievement gaps
Important new programming for our youngest students
No additional local cost but great local benefit for Woonsocket's youngest learners
It’s Time To Bring Back FDK!