Editor’s Note: VICTORY! Almost exactly 10 years ago when my daughter was in kindergarten, I wrote a column in the newspaper about the frustrating disparities and lack of access for full-day kindergarten due to the cost. It was, by far, the most polarizing article I have ever written and the hate mail was swift and strong. One man was so irate he bypassed contacting me, tracked down my husband and sent HIM a scathing letter about his “misinformed wife.” It took ten years but I feel finally vindicated about this victory for Colorado families today. And if you don’t want your child in full-day kindergarten, no problem. The choice is yours!
Gov. Jared Polis joined lawmakers, the Colorado Children’s Campaign, advocates, teachers, parents, and students for an historic bill signing.
Starting this fall, free, full-day kindergarten will be available to all Colorado families who choose it. By fully funding full-day kindergarten throughout the state, school districts will now have greater flexibility with resources, parents will see a benefit to their pocket books, and kids will get the quality start in school they need to succeed.
We will also see the single largest expansion of the Colorado Preschool Program in our state’s history!
Thank you again to Gov. Polis, the bill sponsors, and the Full-Day Kindergarten Now Coalition for making this a reality for all Colorado families.