An investigation of the effects of the addition of kindergarten to nine public school systems of Texas

Abstract

Purpose of the study: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of adding kindergartens to the existing twelve-grade systems. Procedures: A comparative study was made of attendance records of the school years 1971-752 through 1974-75 of all public school districts in Texas for the purpose of establishing a population to limit the study. School districts were grouped as follows: average daily attendance of 0-299; 300-2,999, 3,000-10,999; 11,000-24,999; and 25,000 and above. Criteria for selecting sample districts were: (1) those which had not experienced as much as a two per cent variance in enrollment over the previous year, and (2) those initiating kindergarten programs during or subsequent to 171-72. The research procedure consisted of two phases: Phase 1. Data were gathered from a randomly selected district in each of the groups relative to the effects which the addition of kindergarten had upon its school operation. Collected data were used to develop an interview guide in phase two of the research. Phase 2. Personal interviews were conducted with superintendents representing two randomly selected districts from each of the five groups. They were asked to respond to each question in the guide. The purpose was to determine whether they were encountering the same difficulties as their colleagues in the other group; if so, were they significant; what solutions were found; and, what procedures were followed to solve the problems. Data were analyzed to ascertain the major effect that adding kindergarten had upon the school operation. All district officials reported that state funds were insufficient to adequately equip the classrooms; that local funding was necessary to purchase furniture, teaching supplies and materials, remodel existing facilities, and pay salaries. A large per cent of the superintendents affirmed that district cost had increased as a direct result of kindergarten..