To the editor:

In his alarmist letter "Stop the 'nanny state'" (May 10, Sun-Sailor), Matt Abe fails to consider the tremendous benefits of providing all-day kindergarten, including its potential to close the achievement gap.

The achievement gap between minority and white students is a national concern. Many school districts and organizations spend significant time and resources developing programs and strategies aimed at decreasing the gap. Numerous studies indicate that all-day kindergarten not only boosts academic performance of all students but works specifically to close the achievement gap.

A 2002 Minneapolis Public Schools study assessed students enrolled in all-day kindergarten. The assessments focused on students' literacy/numeracy skills and concluded that the minority kindergarten students improved to levels similar to their white peers by June. A 2004 Burnsville Public Schools study demonstrated similar findings. The researchers documented significant increases on every academic skill measured by pre- and post-tests and achievement gap elimination among all racial and ethnic groups.

Ignoring the benefits, Abe instead focuses on what he views as dangers and misconstrues the issue to be one of childrearing. Abe claims that providing all-day kindergarten compromises the ability of parents to raise their children. However, not one of the pending bills mandates all-day kindergarten; parents would still have the option of a half-day program.

All-day kindergarten shows exceptional promise as a tangible way to close the achievement gap. Though costly, the savings resulting from less remediation and fewer expensive interventions, in conjunction with its proven potential to close the gap, justify providing all-day kindergarten.

Paige Abramson Hirsch

St. Louis Park