Ready. Set. Grow! is an initiative helping parents and caregivers know about their abilities to impact their children’s future, build their children’s brains, and know the importance of kindergarten readiness. Regional Office of Education #1, in Illinois, is leading the initiative to support children, families, communities and agencies in joint efforts to shrink the kindergarten readiness gap.
Why is this important?
In 2012, Quincy Early Childhood & Family Center conducted an assessment of 256 three-year-olds entering their program.
- 78% did not recognize any letters.
- 80% did not recognize any numbers.
- 90% did not recognize their own names in print.
- 48% did not have age-appropriate social skills.
- 27% of 3rd graders were not reading at grade level.
According to America’s Edge, between 2010 and 2012, due to funding, the number of children in Adams County Early Childhood education centers dropped by 40%.
Learning begins at birth and in West Central Illinois, parents and caregivers respond, talk and read to children so they will succeed in the future. If children enter kindergarten with the skills necessary to succeed, they tend to continue to succeed in school.
We have many active partners and contributors.
A few of our projects:
