Since its historical debut in Wisconsin 125 years ago, 4-year old kindergarten is returning once again as an option in the state and perhaps Baraboo if the school board approves the proposition next week.

At present 319 — or more than three-quarters of Wisconsin's eligible school districts — are offering

4-year-old kindergarten. This figure has doubled since the 2001-2002 school year and increased by 37 districts last year, according to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

The Wisconsin Dells School District became one of the latest local districts to approve the program officials think will cost about $320,000 in the first year, requiring about half of that to come from the district's general fund.

Wisconsin Dells officials expect state enrollment credit for 4-year-olds will pay for the program and then some in three years. That might be a relief for Wisconsin Dells taxpayers, who were already paying state taxes to support 4K in other districts before the board approved the program.

Some places, like the Portage Community School District, operate a 4K program that receives about $250,000 in reimbursement, and the district can utilize the new money for other services.

Charles Whitsell, Wisconsin Dells district administrator, was not only excited about the long-term financial picture of pre-kindergarten, but also the learning opportunities for children that parents are looking for when choosing where to live.

"We surveyed incoming kindergarteners' parents and we asked, if this had been available — send your kid? The answer was yes. We know its something that is popular. Parents see the other communities having it and they knew it was good for kids," Whitsell said.

Four-year-old kindergarten is always optional to attend, but with about 900 students enrolled in the Racine Unified School District's 4K program after two years, Charles Leonard, program supervisor, knows the initiative is a big hit.

"Kids can now sit down and listen, or do an activity for a greater length of time. Some know their numbers, colors and shapes. They know how to write their first name, and have been exposed to a lot of books and reading," he said.

Cheryl Hoksch, 4K coordinator in Portage, said learning can be fun, and having a DPI certified teacher in 4K ensures the students have a chance to learn every second they have with them.

As an example, she said students like sticking their hands in a "feely" box in her class to touch something affiliated with the letter of the week. But rather than have them say what they're giggling about, she always suggests a way to convey their thought in a complete sentence.

"Some may say 4-year-olds should not be forced to learn. In the good programs I've seen it is woven into the day so these 4-year-olds want to learn. If you get them wanting to learn, you can teach them throughout the day which is very exciting."

Elizabeth Burmaster, Wisconsin state superintendent, has praised the value of 4K and district commitment to the program. Furthering interest in 4K was $3 million in funds to help districts across the state start-up 4K during what is typically the most expensive year of the program. The grants were approved by Governor Jim Doyle and state legislature, and DPI is hopeful the support will continue.

Nationally, Wisconsin has the eighth largest percentage of 4-year-olds enrolled in state supported pre-kindergarten programming according to the Rutgers-based, National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER). Oklahoma, the second state in the U.S. to offer free, voluntary access to prekindergarten for all of its 4-year-old children, was ranked in first place.

NIEER data shows that this year, enrollment in pre-kindergarten has passed the one-million mark in the country -- though there are still 12 states that offer no state-funded 4k.

Pushing the dialogue about 4K in the nation, NIEER director, Steven Barnett argues that 4K is best for children who are not in families rich enough to afford private day-care, and not poor enough for a federally funded Head Start program.

"States must decide whether education of young children will continue to be a welfare program for the poor or an essential investment in all Americans," Barnett said in a press release.

In arguments for supporting 4K programs, Burmaster and Barnett have looked at data as an objective measure of success - particularly in low income students. The National Center for Children in Poverty reports 36 percent of children in the Midwest were living in a low-income family in 2007.

A Chicago-based Child Parent Center study found there can be lasting cognitive advances and up to $48,000 in benefits to society per child from offering a half-day public school preschool for low-income children.

The study estimated that for every dollar invested, the return to society is $7, based on the reduced costs of remedial education and justice system expenditures, and in the increased earnings and projected tax revenues for participants.

Filling a need for modern 4K study, this year NIEER finished a 4-year study of the New Mexico Pre-Kindergarten initiative with assistance from the Office of Education Accountability.

The study showed among other things, children who were in pre-kindergarten saw a 25 percent improvement in vocabulary skills by kindergarten, over those who were not exposed to pre-kindergarten. There was a 50 percent increase in early math skills as well, like telling time or doing basic addition.

Part 2: Saturday

     They have been in talks for over a year, observed other districts and heard from the community. Find out what the Baraboo Early Learning Cooperative is thinking about offering pre-kindergarten in Baraboo.