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.
Schools can improve the readiness of young children by making connections with local child care providers and preschools by creating policies that ensure smooth transitions to kindergarten. Schools must be ready to address the diverse needs of the children and families in their community and be committed to the success of every child.
Cheryl Mitchell University of Vermont Education Department 85 South Prospect Street 451 Waterman Building Burlington, VT 05405 Phone: 802-656-8559 Fax: 802-656-2702 Email: [email protected]
The School Readiness Indicators Initiative
is supported by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Ewing Marion
Kauffman Foundation and the Ford Foundation.
The 17-state initiative is
managed by Rhode
Island KIDS COUNT
