This Community Spotlight highlights a few of the Department s ongoing initiatives. The study found that most children enter kindergarten with beginning reading skills, and nearly all know numbers and shapes. Most children start school with good social skills and are in good health. My message to parents is to read, read, read. It makes a powerful difference.
Some children can recognize words, and a very few can understand words in simple sentences.
Although the findings were positive for the population as a whole, there are several groups of children whose knowledge and skill levels put them at risk. On average, according to the study, African American and Hispanic children, children from welfare homes, and children whose parents have less education had significantly fewer early reading and math skills, exhibited more problem behaviors, and were less healthy. This study will follow the same sample of children through fifth grade, gathering data on their reading and math achievement, social skills, physical development, and school experiences. The study will reveal whether differences that exist when children enter school persist or change over time. Schools and school districts must spend the funds on school improvement activities, such as developing and implementing school improvement plans, conducting professional development, strengthening curriculum, or enhancing parent involvement.