OLYMPIA, Wash.-A record-high number of Kindergarteners in Washington are showing readiness for school according to new data released by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
New Kindergarteners in Washington are evaluated for their readiness for Kindergarten at the start of every school year by participation in the Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills.
According to OSPI, 52.5 percent of Kindergarteners in Washington exhibited readiness in all six areas measured, a 4.1 percent increase from 2022.
“Early learning experiences play a significant role in shaping every student’s future, and we should do everything we can to remove barriers and close opportunity gaps so that every student in Washington can be successful in school and in life,” said State Superintendent Chris Reykdal
WaKIDS assesses students readiness for Kindergarten in the following domains, cognitive, language, literacy, math, physical, and social-emotional.
While all student groups saw increases of at least 3 percentage points in the percentage of students exhibiting readiness in all six domains, the greatest gains were for students who identify as Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, students who identify as Black/African American, and students who identify American Indian/Alaska Native, according to OSPI.
Pre-kindergarten learning opportunities help prepare students for kindergarten and include Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) and Transition to Kindergarten (TK) programs are also available to Washington children who qualify.
WaKIDS assessment data for the state, by school district and by individual school online through the Washington State Report Card.
“Transitioning into kindergarten is such an important milestone for children and their families,” said Superintendent Reykdal.
