Studies show that educational achievement gaps already exist at Kindergarten entry. Children from low-income families are more likely to start school with limited language skills, health problems and social and emotional problems that interfere with learning. The larger the gap at school entry, the harder it is to close.
Language proficiency is a key predictor of school success. Early literacy skills (size of vocabulary, recognizing letters, understanding letter and sound relationships) at kindergarten entry are good predictors of children's reading abilities throughout their educational careers. Language and literacy skills enable children to develop cognitive skills and knowledge and to interact effectively with peers and adults.
Grandparents and Other Relative Caregivers in Rhode Island, Issue Brief (May 2005). Providence, RI: Rhode Island KIDS COUNT.
Rhode Island Early Learning Standards (December 2003). Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Rhode Island Early Childhood Task Force.
Click here to download this publication (.pdf format).
Results for Rhode Island's Children: Progress and Challenges (December 2002). Providence, RI: Rhode Island Children's Cabinet and Rhode Island KIDS COUNT.
Starting Right: Quality Early Education and Child Care for Rhode Island’s Children and Youth (July 2000). Cranston, RI: Rhode Island Department of Human Services.
Unavailable online. Call The Rhode Island Department of Human Services at 888-347-3322 for more information.
The School Readiness Indicators Initiative
is supported by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Ewing Marion
Kauffman Foundation and the Ford Foundation.
