Florida: DofE-Only 44% of kindergarteners prepared for school

July 21, 2026, Only 44% of Florida's Children Start Kindergarten Ready  - The Boca Raton Tribune

As thousands of Florida  children prepare to enter kindergarten this fall, recently released Florida Department of  Education data reveal that only 44% of students entering public schools last year met the state’s kindergarten readiness benchmark. 

At Fuller Center, the results tell a very different story. 

For the second consecutive year, 100% of Fuller Center’s Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) graduates met Florida’s kindergarten readiness benchmark, demonstrating what is possible when children have access to high-quality  early education during their most important developmental years.

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The numbers illustrate both the value of quality early education, and the challenge Florida still faces in preparing children for kindergarten. While 72% of children completing VPK met the state’s readiness benchmark at the end of the program, only 44% of all children entering public-school kindergarten met that same benchmark at the start of the 2025/26 school year. Fuller Center’s VPK graduates achieved a 100% readiness rate. 

“These numbers tell two stories,” said Eric Roby, Chief Executive Officer of Fuller Center.

“The first is that too many children across Florida are starting school already behind. The second is that it doesn’t have to be that way. Every child deserves the opportunity to enter kindergarten confident, prepared and ready to learn. Fuller Center’s results demonstrate what can happen when families have access to high-quality early education, experienced teachers, and individualized support from the very beginning.”  . . .

 “Early childhood education is one of the smartest investments we can make as a community,” Roby said. “The research is clear that children who begin school prepared are more likely to read proficiently, graduate from high school and experience lifelong success. Our mission is to ensure that every child—regardless of family income—has access to that opportunity.” 

With enrollment underway for the upcoming school year, Fuller Center has limited openings available in select Early Learning classrooms and its Voluntary Prekindergarten program. Families seeking affordable, award-winning early education are encouraged to inquire soon, as space is limited.  . . .