Tests Show Improved Kindergarten Readiness

SEBRING - Highlands County kindergartners entered school this year better prepared to learn, according to three screening tests.

One screening, the Early Childhood Observation System (ECHOS), shows the percentage of Highlands County kindergartners who "consistently demonstrated emerging progress" increasing 5 percent, from 85.4 percent in 2006 to 90.4 percent in 2007.

For the ECHOS screening, teachers observe students doing various everyday tasks to measure learning development.

Highlands County had more students, on average, compared to the state, who scored well on the test. Statewide, 88 percent of the students consistently showed emerging progress.

The children who attended voluntary prekindergarten (VPK) performed better this year on the screening tests than they did last year, said Patricia Landress, School Board of Highlands County federal programs resource teacher. "So VPK must be starting to have a positive effect."

The state also released results for emerging language progress in the areas of "initial sound fluency" and "letter naming fluency."

A higher percentage of Highlands County students scored in the "above average/low risk" range in 2007 compared to 2006 in both language categories, but the county had a lower percentage than the state in both categories.

The screenings, administered within the first 30 days of kindergarten, are used to determine student school readiness, inform classroom instruction and provide useful information to parents and teachers.
This year's results show a continued increase in the percentage of kindergarten students demonstrating early literacy skills, according to the Florida Department of Education.

Education Commissioner Eric J. Smith said, "a solid learning foundation, developed early in life, is one of the most important things we can do for our children. The more prepared these young children are entering school, the greater their chances for continued academic success."