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Officials already understand there is a need to increase affordability and access to quality early childhood education in Ohio, but new data from the Ohio Department of Education hammers home the point. Nearly two-thirds of our state's kindergarteners are not ready to learn at that level when they arrive.
That data is based on the results of the standardized Kindergarten Readiness Assessment conducted by teachers for each child entering the kindergarten classroom. Academic, physical and socio-emotional readiness is measured, according to a report by WCMH-Columbus.
Last school year, 35.4% of kindergarten students demonstrated readiness, according to the test scores WCMH reported; 34.5% scored as "approaching" readiness, and 30.1% of scores fell into the "emerging" category.
"Kids who are ready at the kindergarten level, who have access to quality early childhood experiences, have higher attainment, earn more and have better health. Not just right out of school, but through their life course," Lynanne Gutierrez, chief policy and operating officer at Groundwork Ohio, told the news outlet.
Further analysis showed only 21% of children from economically disadvantaged families demonstrated readiness for kindergarten.
Meredith Schilling, a team lead Pre-K teacher at the Ohio State University's A. Sophie Rogers School, told WCMH "I think it's very concerning. I think we need to invest more in children and teachers and in families."
Perhaps, but with every request for more money must come evidence that the change will lead to student success. Our children deserve better than throwing money at a problem without knowing that money is going to make a difference for them. Should lawmakers be presented with an evidence-based plan for improving early childhood education, however, they should not hesitate to make the investment.