On April 25, the Senate approved, by unanimous consent, a resolution (S. Res. 119) designating April 21, 2005, as “National Kindergarten Recognition Day.”
Sponsored by Sen. Ken Salazar (D-CO), the resolution contains a number of findings, including:
Kindergarten is a critical year in children’s formal education, as well as in their continued physical, social, and emotional development, that prepares them for later school success and lifelong learning;
In 2001, more than 3.7 million children between the ages of 4 and 6 years old attended kindergarten, including full-day, half-day, or alternate day programs;
The percentage of children attending full-day kindergarten programs has grown from 28 percent in 1977 to 60 percent in 2001; and
Quality kindergarten programs use developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate curricula, teaching practices, and assessments to support each child’s learning and development progress to reach his or her maximum potential.
