The Dallas Morning News – MORGAN WEISMAN AND SUSAN SPEAKER
“This year in Dallas ISD, 3 of every 5 children didn’t start kindergarten “school ready.” As pre-K and kindergarten teachers, we see every day that kids who have attended high-quality preschool arrive with the number, letter, emotional and behavioral skills to succeed in school. Those who don’t are playing catch-up on Day 1. The effects are lasting. STAAR test results indicate that students who didn’t attend pre-K continue to perform below grade level in third grade. In our classrooms, it’s clear how critical it is for our kids and communities to build a strong foundation of early learning so that instead of focusing on catching up, we can help kids hit the ground running and strive for their maximum potential. Educators from Dallas and across the country came together in November at the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s annual conference to discuss these and other pressing issues in early childhood education.”(more)