WICHITA, Kan. (AP) -- Cash-strapped school districts are looking hard at whether they will be able to continue to afford all-day kindergarten.

The state's per-pupil funding only supports half-day programs, but districts with high numbers of poor or at-risk students underwrite full-day programs with money targeted at those students. More affluent suburban districts often ask local taxpayers or parents of kindergartners to make up the difference.

But with the recession slashing budgets, the full-day kindergarten programs are under the magnifying glass.

"If something doesn't change ... all-day kindergarten could be, unfortunately, one of those areas we couldn't afford to do," said John Allison, superintendent of Wichita schools.

Allison said the district has no plans to scrap full-day kindergarten next fall. But if cuts continue or get deeper and federal stimulus funds evaporate, the district would have to consider cutting the service at some schools, at least, for the 2011-12 school year.

"It would be a step backwards," he said.

The full-day programs have grown in popularity over the past decade with an increasing number of Kansas school districts offering them. Advocates say it gives teachers more time to cover vital material and may boost test scores, especially for students who start school behind their peers.

"You definitely see a difference," said Jeanette Dalrymple. She teaches in Goddard, which provides full-day kindergarten only to students who, in pre-kindergarten academic screenings, are thought to need extra help. "A lot is expected of them at earlier ages, and ... just having that extra time to practice those skills means a lot."

Terri Anderson, who teaches kindergarten at Riverside Leadership Magnet Elementary, noted that by the end of kindergarten, her students are expected to read more than 50 one-syllable and common words by sight, put numbers in order, count money and identify simple fractions.

"The thought of going back to half-day with the standards we have now in kindergarten is a little scary," she said.

"With the full day, we have the gift of time. The ones who are behind can catch up a little bit. They're ready to move on to first grade."