Daniel Prince
Data shows those attending 4K program are more ready for kindergarten than other children
Full-day four-year-old kindergarten will be coming to Union County next year as a result of a vote at last night’s meeting of the Union County Board of School Trustees. Director of Elementary Education Dr. Stacy Farr updated the school board on the district’s most recent Kindergarten Readiness Assessment data. She said the district’s 5K students saw a 5% increase in kindergarten readiness, with 29% now meeting the standards demonstrating readiness, while 39% are approaching readiness, the same level as the previous year. She then compared those overall figures with the test scores of those who attended 4K at one of the district’s schools. Anywhere from 36-51% demonstrated readiness, with another 30-45% approaching readiness.
Dr. Farr noted that Union County is one of only seven districts in the state that don’t offer full-day 4K. She said that lack of kindergarten readiness can translate into difficulties later on, as the district lags the state average in first and second grade students on track for success in ELA and math, as well as in ELA scores on the SC Ready test. She also noted the law that states that children who aren’t showing reading proficiency by the end of the third grade must be held back unless they qualify for an exemption. Farther along, studies show that 88% of students who failed to earn a high school diploma were identified as struggling readers in third grade.
Farr recommended that the district adopt CERDEP, which stands for Child Early Reading and Development and Education Program. To qualify, students must either be Medicaid-eligible or have a family income of 185% or below of the federal poverty definition. For a family of three, that is $42,606, or $51,338 for a family of four. With the current program, Farr said the district serves 124 out of a potential 160 students. Under CERDEP, the district would initially be serving fewer students, but she noted the district would keep a waiting list, and as demand shows that another classroom could be supported, the state would supply the money for that additional classroom. Farr told the board members that the state recommends two classrooms at every school and three in one school, but she said the district will have to grow to that or risk not being able to pay for the program. She noted that she is working with First Steps and other child care facilities to try and expand 4K options for those who may not qualify for the CERDEP program through the district. She noted that Mon Aetna is currently enrolling, and their program is through First Steps. She said she is encouraging other facilities to partner with First Steps, as well.
As for funding for the program, Farr said the state will provide $5100 per pupil, and each classroom would receive up to $10,000 for the classroom setup. She noted that most of the current 4K funding comes from Title 1 funds, so receiving this money from the state would free up some Title 1 funds, which could then be used to help cover the salaries for the classroom assistants, as well as to pay for the salaries of the Reading Recovery teachers, enabling the district to keep that program once the COVID ESSER funds run out in 2024.
Board members asked Farr several questions before ultimately voting unanimously to authorize the district to move forward with full-day 4K for the 2023-2024 school year under the CERDEP program.
We’ll have more from the meeting in tomorrow’s newscast.