February 25, 2020 For Immediate Release
BALTIMORE – Local kindergarten readiness data compiled by Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) shows that pre-kindergarten students that attend district programs are more likely prepared to succeed compared to those in other care settings.
According to data submitted to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), the 3,600 children enrolled in City Schools pre-kindergarten classroom, either traditional or Judy Center, are anywhere from nine to 33 percentage points more likely to be ready than students in other environments. Different settings include a third-party child care center, a family child care center, home care, or another public setting.
Only students that attended a non-public nursery school were more likely to be ready than a City Schools pre-kindergarten student.
“Scientific research has long declared that kindergarten readiness sets the tone for the future success of students regardless of ethnicity or economic background. City Schools is forging ahead with efforts to add additional early learning seats because the data is clear that students that are ready to attend kindergarten have a much greater likelihood of success throughout their educational career,” Dr. Sonja Brookins Santelises, CEO of City Schools. “This year’s data validates our belief that our pre-kindergarten programs offer the best chance to increase the readiness of our students. Our investments in early learning are paying dividends.”
Kindergarten readiness is measured through Maryland’s 2019-2020 Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA). Since 2016, Maryland districts have had the option of administering the KRA. Teachers guide students through tasks in four categories: language and literacy, mathematics, social foundations, and physical development. Students are noted as emerging, approaching, or demonstrating readiness for kindergarten.
Of the 568 students with KRA results enrolled in a City Schools pre-kindergarten classroom in a Judy Center, about 48 percent demonstrated readiness, with another 34 percent found to be approaching readiness. Meanwhile, the 3,039 children with KRA results enrolled in a traditional City Schools pre-kindergarten classroom were found to be 44 percent ready with an additional 37 percent approaching readiness.
City Schools continues to expand its early learning opportunities and increased enrollment by 2 percent in the 2019-2020 school year. The district continues to place Pre-K seats in high need areas in order to meet the school readiness needs of Baltimore City. For the 2nd year in a row, Baltimore City will host their Annual Day of Play which is an opportunity for citywide recruitment into early care programs. Additionally, City Schools has continued to place a high priority on rigorous, developmentally-appropriate, play-based curriculum.