Delaware News

Governor’s Weekly Message Transcript: Ensuring Students Start School Ready for Success

Former Governor Jack Markell (2009-2017) | News | Date Posted: Friday, October 10, 2014



As we work to grow the economy and build on the thousands of new jobs created this year, we also have a responsibility to ensure Delaware keeps getting stronger for generations to come. One of the keys to success will be the early education opportunities our children receive.

Research has shown that when they arrive in kindergarten ready to learn, kids are much more likely to thrive in school and even in their future careers. It’s why we have made it a priority to increase access to high quality early learning and offer more support to early childhood centers. That initial investment was important.

Last year the number of low-income children attending a high quality program increased by 50 percent. Now we must sustain our momentum. Soon we will understand better than ever before how our children are developing during their pre-school years. That’s a result of a statewide survey of students’ abilities when they enter kindergarten. Michelle Wilson at Booker T. Washington Elementary School in Dover, along with 80 percent of Delaware kindergarten teachers, are taking note of how students interact with their peers, whether they follow directions, and if they speak clearly, among other signs of physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development.

Next year, 100 percent of kindergarten classes will participate. The results will help early childhood centers recognize the areas in which kids need more support to be ready for school. And the state will make the most effective use of our resources.

When we ensure kids have a great start to their education, we give them the best chance to reach their potential and contribute their talents in our communities. And for many years to come, that will keep Delaware moving forward.

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Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.

Governor’s Weekly Message Transcript: Ensuring Students Start School Ready for Success

Former Governor Jack Markell (2009-2017) | News | Date Posted: Friday, October 10, 2014



As we work to grow the economy and build on the thousands of new jobs created this year, we also have a responsibility to ensure Delaware keeps getting stronger for generations to come. One of the keys to success will be the early education opportunities our children receive.

Research has shown that when they arrive in kindergarten ready to learn, kids are much more likely to thrive in school and even in their future careers. It’s why we have made it a priority to increase access to high quality early learning and offer more support to early childhood centers. That initial investment was important.

Last year the number of low-income children attending a high quality program increased by 50 percent. Now we must sustain our momentum. Soon we will understand better than ever before how our children are developing during their pre-school years. That’s a result of a statewide survey of students’ abilities when they enter kindergarten. Michelle Wilson at Booker T. Washington Elementary School in Dover, along with 80 percent of Delaware kindergarten teachers, are taking note of how students interact with their peers, whether they follow directions, and if they speak clearly, among other signs of physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development.

Next year, 100 percent of kindergarten classes will participate. The results will help early childhood centers recognize the areas in which kids need more support to be ready for school. And the state will make the most effective use of our resources.

When we ensure kids have a great start to their education, we give them the best chance to reach their potential and contribute their talents in our communities. And for many years to come, that will keep Delaware moving forward.

image_printPrint


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.