A new report from the Illinois State Board of Education, the second annual Kindergarten Individual Development Survey, or KIDS report, says the majority of children who entered kindergarten last year were not ready, and many lacked the skills necessary for long-term success in school. The report shows that only one-fourth of those students, 26 percent, demonstrated readiness across all three key development areas: social and emotional development; language and literacy development; and math.
The report also showed disparities between racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups, with black and Hispanic students and those from low-income households less likely to be kindergarten-ready. In a statement, State Superintendent of Education Carmen Ayala said the report demonstrates a need for more investment and more equity in access to early childhood education: “Data from the second year of KIDS implementation affirms the importance of comprehensive, high-quality supports for early learners. Systemic inequities in resources and opportunities can negatively impact the development of young children. We look forward to continuing to work with lawmakers to increase the state’s investments in early childhood education and close gaps in development as early as possible.”