School Readiness

“The first five years of life are critical to child’s lifelong development” (Rhode Island KIDS COUNT, 2005, p. 6).

School readiness focuses on the:

• emotional
• behavioral
• and cognitive skills needed to be successful when entering school

Growing trend in students unprepared to enter kindergarten and 1st grade due to systematic barriers.

The Achievement Gap

Studies show positive effects of preschool:

• High/Scope Perry Preschool Project
• Abecedarian Project
• Chicago Child-Parent Studies

Positive Outcomes:

• students performed better in school
• higher graduation rate
• less likely to be involved in violence/drugs/arrested
• higher employment rate
• more likely to own a home

“In addition to producing educational gains, these programs also provided savings or benefits to federal, state, and local governments. Given the high cost to school districts of certain interventions—such as special education placement and grade retention—these cost/benefit issues are important to policymakers and provide a strong argument for pre-k intervention” (O’Brien & Dervarics, 2007).

Why are these findings

“Recent research confirms that the first five years are particularly important for the development of the child's brain, and the first three years are the most critical in shaping the child's brain architecture. Early experiences provide the base for the brain's organizational development and functioning throughout life. They have a direct impact on how children develop learning skills as well as social and emotional abilities. Children learn more quickly during their early years than at any other time in life” (Child Development and Early Learning, n.d.)

Critics?
They question if the short-term effects fade over time.

Not enough data to back up their view and disprove the positive effects that preschool programs have.

What can we do to improve school readiness?

Avenues to Advocate:

• Parent/Community awareness
• Available Programs
• Funding

Parent/Community Awareness

• educate parents and community about child development and local programs through flyers and events

Available Local Programs

• Keiki Steps
• Head Start
• Government funded public preschools

Funding: Work with Policy makers to

Let's work together to ensure that all our students receive an excellent education no matter their background!

Thank You!