July 6, 2017
JACKSON, Miss – The spring 2017 Pre-Kindergarten Assessment for Early Learning Collaboratives (ELCs) show the majority of pre-K students in Mississippi’s ELCs demonstrated they are prepared for kindergarten, with 77.9 percent of students scoring at or above the target score for exiting pre-K. The spring 2017 scores reflect a 6.5 percent increase over spring 2016, when 71.4 percent of pre-K students in ELCs scored at or above expectations for kindergarten readiness.
“Mississippi’s Early Learning Collaboratives continue to show the impact of high-quality early childhood education and the powerful effect it has on student achievement,” said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education. “I am proud of the work of all of the teachers, administrators and pre-K students. High-quality early childhood education programs are one of the most effective ways to give children a strong start to school and life.”
Mississippi’s Early Learning Collaborative Act of 2013 established the ELC program, which provides funding to local communities to establish, expand, support and facilitate the successful implementation of quality early childhood education and development services. The Legislature provided $3 million in the first three years for the ELCs, and increased funding to $4 million in 2016.
The ELC program in 2016-17 funded 10 collaboratives comprised of 51 sites that served 1,645 children.
All 10 ELCs earned an average Pre-Kindergarten Assessment score that surpasses expectations for what students should know and be able to do when they enter kindergarten.
Mississippi’s work in early childhood education has earned the state national recognition. The National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) recognized Mississippi’s ELCs in its 2015 State of Preschool. This puts Mississippi among only five states in the nation that meet all 10 quality standards for preschool.
Results of the spring 2017 Kindergarten Readiness Assessment post-test will be released in August.
Media Contact:
Patrice Guilfoyle, APR
Director of Communications
601-359-3706
Jean Cook, APR
Communications Specialist
601-359-3519