State Report: 50% of KY children not ready for Kindergarten

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – According to the 2016 Early Childhood Profiles released by the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood (GOEC), only 50 percent of Kentucky children are considered ready when they enter kindergarten.

The GOEC defines school readiness under five categories, including the child’s social and emotional development, their ability to focus and show curiosity, and how well they interact with their peers.

The full definition can be found here.

“While the Brigance screener gives us a snapshot of where children are at school entry, the Profile helps to identify some of the contributing factors that communities may want to address to improve outcomes for kids,” said Terry Tolan, executive director of the GOEC. “It takes everyone in the community – schools, families, churches, local government and early childhood programs – to help children thrive.”

The readiness definition added that these qualities are not used to determine school eligibility. In Kentucky, all children who meet the legal age requirement are entitled to enter public schools.

More information about the GOEC can be found here, and more tips on how to help your child be kindergarten-ready can be found here