Andrea Del Gaudio Weiss and Robert M. Offenberg, American Educational Research Association
April 2002
In this 33-page paper prepared for last month's American Educational Research Association meeting, Andrea Del Gaudio Weiss and Robert M. Offenberg of the Philadelphia school system examine the differential effects on that city's school children of no kindergarten, half-day kindergarten and full-day kindergarten. Their findings: kindergarten helps urban kids stay on grade level and avoid retention, and the full-day version is more powerful than the half-day kind. Moreover, in their view, it's cost-effective, because the savings that it yields (via reduced grade retention, etc.) help offset the cost of providing it. You can get a copy by calling 215-299-7770.