THE LATEST KINDERGARTEN READINESS REPORT FROM THE ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION UNDERSCORES THE NEED FOR QUALITY PRE-SCHOOL OPTIONS FOR KIDS.

THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR FOR THE REPORT…WHICH ASSESSES STUDENTS DURING THEIR FIRST FEW MONTHS OF KINDERGARTEN. ISBE DIRECTOR OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CARISA HURLEY SAYS THE REPORT FOUND 26 PERCENT OF KIDS DEMONSTRATED READINESS IN ALL THREE OF THE AREAS MEASURED.

HURLEY SAYS JUST 30 PERCENT OF THE CHILDREN ASSESSED FOR THIS REPORT ATTENDED A STATE-FUNDED PRE-K PROGRAM. THAT'S SOMETHING THEY’D LIKE TO CHANGE SO THAT KIDS ARE BETTER PREPARED TO START SCHOOL.

53 PERCENT OF KIDS SHOWED READINESS WITH SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SKILLS AND 33 PERCENT WERE DOING WELL WITH MATH.