Age 3 to Grade 3 model gets attention

The StarTribune published an editorial this week highlighting Age 3 to Grade 3 as an early childhood education model. Age 3 to Grade 3 (sometimes called PreK-3) is comprised of at least three parts: high quality early care and education, all day kindergarten, and curriculum and standards alignment through third grade with parent involvement throughout. Ideally, this would take place in one location and the staff would have consistent contact with the children for all 6 years.

Research shows that the PreK-3 approach can close the student achievement gap, reduce the need for special education services and increase the likelihood of a future educated and competitive workforce. An article by Bill Graves, PK-3: What is it and How Do We Know it Works? gives more detail about the PreK-3 approach.

Ready 4 K has been promoting PreK-3 as an innovation in early education and for closing the achievement gap. In the 2007 legislative session Ready 4 K proposed piloting PreK-3 models as part of a larger package for improving linkages between early childhood and K-12 education. See a summary of the proposed bill. Funding for these pilots was eliminated in last minute budget negotiations at the end of legislative session. Ready 4 K will again raise PreK-3 as a positive step toward our goal of ensuring kids in Minnesota are ready for kindergarten and ready for life.

At the water cooler...

Getting Minnesota's youngest citizens fully prepared for kindergarten doesn't just make logical sense, it makes a whole lot of business cents too. According to the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank, an investment in early education for at-risk kids can yield up to an 18% annual rate of return. Now you can help spread word of the importance and value of early childhood education in your place of business with these free posters. Or if nothing else, they'll give you something to talk about at the water cooler!

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MN School Readiness Study Shows Progress

The Minnesota Department of Education released the “Minnesota School Readiness Study,” which tracks kindergarten readiness in physical development, the arts, personal and social development, language and literacy, and mathematical thinking.

The study, which involved 48 elementary schools, divides proficiency into three levels – not yet, in process and proficient.

Although I'm encouraged that more kids were deemed proficient in all 5 indicators of progress when compared to previous Minnesota School Readiness Assessments, there is still much more we need to do to make sure that every child enters kindergarten fully prepared.

PDF:> View the full report