STUDENTS ARE ENTERING SCHOOL WITH IMPROVED

ACADEMIC, PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL SKILLS

 

BALTIMORE, MD (March 22, 2011) – Maryland children are entering kindergarten with far
stronger set of academic, physical and social skills than children of a few short years ago,
according to a new report by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
“Children Entering School Ready to Learn—School Readiness Information for School Year
2010-2011,” a report by MSDE’s Division of Early Childhood Development, reveals steady
progress across all demographic subgroups. Maryland students entering kindergarten fully
prepared for learning increased by 3 percentage points from 2010 to 2011, rising to 81 percent.
That is an increase of 32 percentage points since the baseline year of 2002.

“The importance of strong early childhood development has never been more apparent,” said
Nancy S. Grasmick, State Superintendent of Schools. “By providing our youngest learners with
a solid footing before they enter kindergarten, we can expect big leaps as they move through
school.”

The annual MSDE study reflects assessment information on kindergartners’ readiness levels in
social and personal areas, language and literacy, mathematical thinking, scientific thinking,
social studies, the arts, physical development, and health. Trained kindergarten teachers review
work samples and observations in making their determination of readiness.
Kindergarten readiness has improved significantly since all early childhood programs were
brought under the MSDE banner in 2005. Since the Division of Early Childhood Development
was established six year ago, the number of accredited childcare programs has grown
significantly and MSDE has established several quality initiatives to improve the early learning
opportunities for all children.

Also significant has been the reduction in the achievement gap between students of different
ethnicities. For example, African American children have made dramatic strides since the initial
report, rising 39 percentage points overall and narrowing the gap with White and Asian peers.
Improvement by Hispanic children also has been dramatic, increasing 31 percentage points.

The MSDE assessment of incoming kindergarten students, known as the Maryland Model for
School Readiness (MMSR), found improvement across demographic categories in the
percentage of students ready for kindergarten work.

For example:
? School readiness levels for English Language Learners have increased 33 percentage
points since 2002, rising to 68 percent deemed as “fully ready.”
? The improvement in school readiness for low-income children—students receiving free
or reduced price meals—has jumped 39 percentage points since 2002, to 73 percent.
? The number of special education students considered fully ready for kindergarten
improved 26 percentage points since 2002 to 56 percent.
Strong MMSR results also translate to better results in the Maryland School Assessment by the
time students reach third grade. Children who enter kindergarten fully school-ready are far more
likely to be proficient in both reading and math by Grad