Kindergarten readiness: 'Bright Spots' in improving early education


  • March 31, 2016
  • /   Shannon Nickinson
  • /   early-learning,report-sci-early-education
Teacher talking to students in classroom
These “Bright Spots” in early education are shining examples of efforts across the country to improve educational opportunities for young children through early education policies and programs.

Kindergarten readiness a priority at Lincoln Park


  • March 26, 2016
  • /   Reggie Dogan
  • /   early-learning,report-sci-early-education
Teacher talking to students in classroom
Lincoln Park Primary School has risen from the brink of closure to become a bright spot in Escambia County School District. Rising from an F to an A based on the state's rating system, Lincoln Park also scored a 100 kindergarten readiness rate.

FSU research looks at boosting early reading


  • March 26, 2016
  • /   Shannon Nickinson
  • /   early-learning,report-sci-early-education
Teacher talking to students in classroom
Researchers at Florida State University have spent six years studying how young children learn to recognize letters, read words and then put them in context to learn to read. It is research that has included children — and teachers — in the Pensacola metro area.

Shannon's Window: How T.R. Jackson builds youngsters and their families


  • March 26, 2016
  • /   Shannon Nickinson
  • /   early-learning,report-sci-early-education
Classroom
Helping children succeed in school sometimes includes helping their parents fill the gaps in their own education. And that's how you change lives.

Infographic: A VPK Primer


  • March 20, 2016
  • /   Shannon Nickinson
  • /   early-learning,report-sci-early-education
Two children reading books in a classroom
A primer at a glance for voluntary prekindergarten.

How readiness weighs on VPK providers


  • March 20, 2016
  • /   Shannon Nickinson
  • /   early-learning,report-sci-early-education
Teacher talking to students in classroom
As state education officials struggle with measuring kindergarten readiness, VPK providers too face consequences from the uncertainty.

Escambia County readiness rate scores


  • March 20, 2016
  • /   Ron Stallcup
  • /   early-learning,report-sci-early-education
Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten score chart
Find out why the readiness rate scores matter.

Poverty's no excuse, but it does matter


  • March 13, 2016
  • /   Randy Hammer
  • /   early-learning,report-sci-early-education
Pockets of Poverty
The real lesson of FCAT is this: Too many children from poverty-stricken areas show up for their first day of school two and three years behind students who live in more affluent districts.

Tune In, Talk More, Take Turns


  • March 13, 2016
  • /   Shannon Nickinson
  • /   early-learning,report-sci-early-education
Teacher talking to students in classroom
In her book, Dr. Dana Suskind advocates the three T’s — Tune In, Talk More and Take Turns — help baby and toddler brains develop to their full potential.

Changing the rules for readiness


  • March 13, 2016
  • /   Shannon Nickinson
  • /   early-learning,report-sci-early-education
Woman reading book to toddler
At a glance, how kindergarten readiness testing has changed in Florida over the years.