Texas: Only 51% of kids ready for kindergarten
- 16 hours ago
- 1 min read
Parent engagement plays a crucial role in kindergarten readiness, according to a nationwide study that includes Texas children.
New research shows parent engagement, education level and household income are among the strongest predictors of children’s readiness in reading and mathematics when they approach kindergarten.
The parent engagement aspect is notable, as there’s still limited research on this that needs to be studied further, said Nina Smith, co-author of the study and associate dean of North Carolina Central University’s College of Health and Sciences.
. As families prepare to return to school in the fall, Smith recommends parents reinforce what their children are learning in the classroom and establish consistent communication with their child’s teacher to keep track of how they’re doing. “The good news is that parents don’t need specialized training or expensive educational materials to support their children’s early literacy and mathematics development,” Smith said.
“In fact, they’re already doing it in the home and may not even realize it. The most effective learning opportunities often occur through everyday routines, conversations and play.”
Parents counting steps, toys, snacks or household items with their children during daily routines is one example of this, she said.
Kindergarten readiness, also known as school readiness, includes basic knowledge of language and math, in addition to physical, cognitive, social and emotional skills. . . .
In the 2024-25 school year, the kindergarten readiness rate in Tarrant County was 52%, merely surpassing Texas’ statewide rate of 51%, according to the Texas Education Agency. .
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