"Any time a group of kids are being underserved, it's not good for the kid or family," Christina Weiland, a professor of education and public policy at the University of Michigan, says.
"But for the teacher, if students are placed in first grade and they are behind, it places more demand on teachers on how to get every kid to the same place."
Without that all-day offering, many parents are left in the lurch for half of the work day.
"It's not just about parent choice: They offer half day, and you often have to pay for full day [care], which is a real access problem where policies could make a difference," Weiland says. "A push toward offering full day is probably more meaningful, at least on the equity side."
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