Effects of Full-Day Kindergarten on the Long-Term Health Prospects of Children in Low-Income and Racial/Ethnic-Minority Populations A Community Guide Systematic Review

Hahn, Robert A.; Rammohan, Veda; Truman, Benedict I.; Milstein, Bobby; Johnson, Robert. L.; Muntaner, Caries; Jones, Camara P.; Fullilove, Mindy T.; Chattopadhyay, Sajal K.; Hunt, Pete C.; Abraido-Lanza, Ana F.; Community Preventive Serv Task For

Abstract

Context: Children from low-income and minority families are often behind higher-income and majority children in language, cognitive, and social development even before they enter school. Because educational achievement has been shown to improve long-term health, addressing these delays may foster greater health equity. This systematic review assesses the extent to which full-day kindergarten (FDK), compared with half-day kindergarten (HDK), prepares children, particularly those from low-income and minority families, to succeed in primary and secondary school and improve lifelong health. Evidence acquisition: A meta-analysis (2010) on the effects of FDK versus HDK among U.S. children measured educational achievement at the end of kindergarten. The meta-analysis was concordant with Community Guide criteria. Findings on the longer-term effects of FDK suggested "fade-out" by third grade. The present review used evidence on the longer-term effects of pre-K education to explore the loss of FDK effects over time. Evidence synthesis: FDK improved academic achievement by an average of 0.35 SDs (Cohen's d; 95% CI=0.23, 0.46). The effect on verbal achievement was 0.46 (Cohen's d; 95% CI=0.32, 0.61) and that on math achievement was 0.24 (Cohen's d; 95% CI=0.06, 0.43). Evidence of "fade-out" from pre-K education found that better-designed studies indicated both residual benefits over multiple years and the utility of educational boosters to maintain benefits, suggesting analogous longer-term effects of FDK. Conclusions: There is strong evidence that FDK improves academic achievement, a predictor of longer-term health benefits. To sustain early benefits, intensive elementary school education is needed. If targeted to low-income and minority communities, FDK can advance health equity.

Más información

Título según WOS: ID WOS:000331591700013 Not found in local WOS DB
Título de la Revista: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
Volumen: 46
Número: 3
Editorial: Elsevier Science Inc.
Fecha de publicación: 2014
Página de inicio: 312
Página final: 323
DOI:

10.1016/j.amepre.2013.12.003

Notas: ISI