In 2010 only 43 percent of local preschool-aged children entered kindergarten ready to learn to read. While that number may be up from 35 percent in 2001, Madison County CAPE Initiative officials say drastic improvement is still needed.
“Early-childhood education is a real issue in our community,” said Mary Lee Ewald, director of CAPE — the Community Alliance to Promote Education. Ewald said students are already behind the pace needed to eventually graduate if they wait until kindergarten or first grade to start learning.
“There is significant research that shows high school graduation rates can be significantly linked to third-grade reading scores,” she said. “And early-learning opportunities are necessary. The critical age for brain and language development is birth to 18 months. You can’t look at the graduation rate and say it all starts when these students enter kindergarten or first grade. They have to be prepared before that with experiences with their families.”
CAPE reaches out to the community by partnering with other organizations in several ways, including the hospitals’ prenatal education programming; a partnership with the public library that provides books to families of newborns; opportunities for families to get books by hosting “book parties”; and the Born Learning Connection — five interactive trails in Madison County parks that encourage family learning through activities.
“I’m not surprised that the graduation rate is that low,” Ewald said of Anderson schools’ statistics. “We started CAPE 10 years ago, and at that point only 45 percent were proficient readers at the end of third grade. Now we have gone up to 75 percent countywide. Hopefully, we will start to see those effects down the road.”
Contact Abbey Doyle, 640-4805, abbey.doyle@heraldbulletin.com
Local Education
Related Videos
Related Photos
-
Kindergarten teacher Diana Stanley teaches children about reading in her classroom at Valley Grove Elementary School in April. The school conducted Kindergarten Blast Off, a program to help teach kids what to expect in kindergarten. Aaron Piper
Discussion
Early education, family 'critical' to graduation
Madison County lagging but taking steps to improve
- Local Education
-
-
ACS to reopen Killbuck Elementary
With an increase in enrollment forecast for 2013-14, especially among younger students, Anderson Community Schools has decided to reopen Killbuck Elementary and transport kindergartners from Valley Grove and Eastside to the school in Richland Township.
-
ACS board selects new principals
The Anderson Community Schools board selected principals for the reopening of Killbuck and Southview elementary schools on Wednesday.
-
Note found in restroom puts Pendleton Heights on alert
According to Pendleton Police Chief Marc Farrer, a note detailing a bomb threat made on Pendleton Heights High School was found in a boys’ restroom at the high school on Tuesday.
-
AHS business class shares downtown vision with city leaders
Mounds Mall would have to be demolished if Mounds Lake Reservoir ever becomes a reality. And Anderson High School business teacher Debra Berry’s marketing class has an idea about where it might relocate: Downtown Anderson.
-
Boost in education funding won’t benefit all schools
In the budget bill passed by the General Assembly last month, more money is allocated for K-12 education over the next two years, but that doesn’t mean every school will get more dollars.
-
Local school districts prepare to face funding challenges
Even with a slight increase in state funding projected for the near future, Anderson Preparatory Academy, like many other public schools, will still face financial challenges.
-
‘Think big’ and have confidence
In a world still often dominated by men, state Rep. Terri Austin urged female seniors at Anderson Preparatory Academy to “think big” and have confidence as they head out into the real world.
-
Emmett Dulaney: First sports marketing camp starts in June
For the first time, Anderson University is offering a summer camp for high school students who are interested in learning about the field of sports marketing.
-
Killbuck school to reopen
Anderson Community Schools has announced that Killbuck school will reopen to house kindergartners from Valley Grove and East Side elementaries.
-
Highland Middle School performs the ‘Little Mermaid’
Looking for some musical entertainment this weekend? You could always take a trip under the sea with Highland Middle School.
- More Local Education Headlines
-
