K-12 Education: State and Selected Teachers' Use of Kindergarten Readiness Information. Q&A Report to Congressional Requesters. GAO-24-106552. Revised
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| Title: | K-12 Education: State and Selected Teachers' Use of Kindergarten Readiness Information. Q&A Report to Congressional Requesters. GAO-24-106552. Revised |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Jacqueline M. Nowicki, Sarah Kaczmarek, A. Nicole Clowers, US Government Accountability Office (GAO) |
| Source: | US Government Accountability Office. 2024. |
| Availability: | US Government Accountability Office. 441 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20548. Tel: 202-512-6000; Web site: http://www.gao.gov |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 11 |
| Publication Date: | 2024 |
| Document Type: | Legal/Legislative/Regulatory Materials Reports - Evaluative |
| Education Level: | Elementary Secondary Education Early Childhood Education Elementary Education Kindergarten Primary Education |
| Descriptors: | Elementary Secondary Education, Kindergarten, Young Children, School Readiness, Student Evaluation, Emergent Literacy, Numeracy, Language Skills, Social Development, Emotional Development, Physical Health, Motor Development, Learning Processes, Thinking Skills, Data Collection |
| Abstract: | The early elementary school years are widely understood to be critical to a child developing a strong foundation for future academic success. Children arrive at kindergarten from diverse settings and experiences, and not all of them are "kindergarten ready." Kindergarten readiness refers to the skills and abilities needed to succeed in school, including social and emotional development, language acquisition, physical well-being, and motor skills. The Department of Education estimated that about 3.3 million children enrolled in public kindergarten in fall 2024; however, kindergarten is not universally required. States determine whether school districts must offer kindergarten and whether kindergarten attendance is mandatory. States also have discretion regarding whether, and how, to assess children's kindergarten readiness. Consequently, little is known about kindergarten readiness levels nationwide. The authors were asked to provide information about which states assess children's readiness to learn upon entering kindergarten. For this report, they surveyed state education and early childhood officials in all 50 states and the District of Columbia on how they collect and use kindergarten readiness information for children attending public schools. Throughout this report, the authors refer to all 51 survey respondents as states. They also held discussion groups with kindergarten teachers in six states to provide information about their experiences with administering and using assessments in kindergarten, among other topics. |
| Abstractor: | ERIC |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | ED672883 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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