School Readiness
Every year, more than three million children enroll in a public kindergarten program, according to the U.S. Department of Education. By that time there is already a significant gap in school readiness between low-income children and their more affluent peers. Research shows that there are gaps in children’s cognitive development, social-emotional development, and health status. To improve long-term academic outcomes, increased attention is being given to supporting and assessing school readiness and identifying successful, evidence-based programs in early childhood that can ensure a more even start at school, according to Child Trends. This brief includes a complete list of state early learning guidelines and states’ current school readiness assessment practices for children in kindergarten.
Child Trends’ A Review of School Readiness Practices in the States also outlines key policy considerations for developing and utilizing school readiness assessments at the state level. Researchers analyzed state approaches to school readiness assessments in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, identifying seven states that utilize assessments in order to monitor statewide levels of school readiness.
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