Canty-Led Bill To Expand Access To Full-Day Kindergarten Passes House

Press release from the Illinois House of Representatives:

March 31, 2023

Schools across Illinois would offer full-day kindergarten within the next four years thanks to a bill passed by state Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights.

“An abundance of research clearly shows that full-day kindergarten helps to close the achievement gap for minority students, and provides academic and social-emotional benefits to these young learners,” Canty said. “Full-day kindergarten provides working parents with increased access to affordable child care, and gives students enough time to learn, grow, and play.”

Currently, school districts may provide either half-day or full-day kindergarten. Canty’s House Bill 2396 provides a four year period in which school districts must begin to offer full-day kindergarten. The bill establishes the Full-Day Kindergarten Task Force to inform the planning and implementation of full-day kindergarten in the state. The bill also allows struggling schools to apply for a two-year extension if they meet certain criteria.

“As a working parent, I know my family would have benefited from full-day kindergarten, and I want to make sure that all Illinois children have this opportunity,” Canty said. “I am so proud of this legislation and the positive impact it will have on Illinois children. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass this bill and further invest in our students.”

House Bill 2396 now heads to the Senate for consideration.

This press release was produced by the Illinois House of Representatives. The views expressed here are the author's own.