Kindergarten is an important time of transition for children and parents.  The Department of Education provides information for parents, early childhood and parenting educators, care givers and community members so that children are fully-prepared to begin their formal education.  MDE has also provided strategies and resources to help families and others support students as they enter kindergarten. Parent information, webinars and podcasts about how to help prepare their child for kindergarten entry are available on the www.MNParentsKnow.info website. 

School Readiness Assessment Study
A large and growing body of research supports the critical relationship between early childhood experiences and successful life-long outcomes. In recognition of this, the Minnesota Department of Education documents the school readiness of a sample of Minnesota kindergartners. The results of the Minnesota School Readiness Study inform school administrators and teachers, parents, early childhood educators, child care providers, policy makers and the public about progress toward the goals of ensuring that children are ready for school and schools are ready for children. The 2010 School Readiness Assessment Study results and a two-page summary can be downloaded below.

School Readiness Program
School Readiness is a public school program available to Minnesota children, age 3 years to kindergarten enrollment who meet certain eligibility requirements. Any of the following factors influence eligibility: age, family income, being an English language learner or having an Individualized Education Program. Children may also be identified to participate in the program through the Early Childhood Screening program. School districts offer this and other early childhood education programs and services unique to the needs of children and the resources in their communities.

The purpose of a School Readiness program is to prepare children to enter kindergarten. The goal of School Readiness is to help preschoolers enter school with the skills and behaviors necessary to be successful in future learning.

It is a priority of School Readiness to involve parents in their child’s learning and education. Research has shown that early childhood programs that involve parents and children working together are more effective than programs that only focus on the child. Involving families early encourages parents to play a more active role throughout their child’s education. Find the contact information for the School Readiness program in your school district.

Assessing the Validity of School Readiness Indicators is a new report developed by the Human Capital Research Collaborative. View the Assessing Validity report on the HCRC website.
 

• School Readiness Study Summary - Fall 2010 
  Synopsis of the key points of the School Readiness Study and the 2010 results.
• School Readiness Study - Fall 2010 
  Complete report with appendices on the findings from a representative sample of Minnesota students entering kindergarten fall of 2010.