Friday News Roundup: Week of February 16-20

Massachusetts Schools Reconsider Full-Day Kindergarten

Community Colleges Unable to Meet Demand

Stimulus Law Provides Funds for Work-Study Jobs

Massachusetts Schools Reconsider Full-Day Kindergarten
Faced with tough economic times, many Massachusetts school districts are reconsidering their full-day kindergarten programs. In 2000, the state established a grant program for full-day kindergarten, hoping to have all students in full-day programs within ten years. Today, three-fourths of the state’s kindergarten students are in full-day programs. Unfortunately, budget difficulties are now forcing the state to scale back the program. Given their own budget problems and decreased state support, many districts are finding they have to choose between going back to half-day kindergarten or charging already struggling families fees for full-day kindergarten. Educators say that full-day programs are beneficial in many ways, particularly because they allow teachers to get to know students and identify learning difficulties earlier. More here.

Community Colleges Unable to Meet Demand
Enrollment in California community colleges rose by nearly 10 percent last fall, and more increases are expected in the spring. Budget cuts aimed at the state’s other higher education systems and difficult financial times have placed a greater burden on community colleges to provide job training and low-cost postsecondary education. But these colleges are struggling to keep up with demand. Inadequate state funding may force community colleges to cut 5 percent of classes. Although community colleges operate under a mandate of accepting all applicants, this may become an empty promise if students are unable to enroll in any courses. More here.

Stimulus Law Provides Funds for Work-Study Jobs
The economic stimulus package that President Obama signed into law on Tuesday includes $200 million for federal work-study. The additional money could help 130,000 additional students pay for college. The work-study program requires colleges to match part of the funds in order to participate. As a result, only schools with sufficient institutional aid dollars will be able to accept the increased federal money. In addition, colleges may convert existing campus jobs that aren’t funded by federal work-study into work-study jobs with the new money, resulting in no net gain in total jobs available. However, the bump in funds will likely help low-income students stay in college, an important development for students in the short term and for the economy and the country in the long term. Federal work-study is supported broadly by both political parties. More here.

Briefly Noted:

• Maryland cuts funding for gifted students summer program in 2010 state budget.
• Budget cuts force Nevada schools to drop block scheduling.