Preschool gains add up, study indicates

By ANJETTA MCQUEEN

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Like most kindergartners, Daniel Hartman is learning his letters, words and numbers. As evidence of the potential for learning in formal schooling before the mandatory first grade, the 6-year-old also recites his lessons in English and Spanish.

Kindergarten is more than just kids’ stuff, says his father, Andrew, a literacy expert. A six-year federal study of 22,000 children backs him up with a glimpse of just how much children learn in public and private kindergartens.

"Learning can’t start too early," Hartman said.

Tracking the same 22,000 students for a second year, the Education Department study shows that five times as many could do simple addition and subtraction as a year earlier. Twice as many could recognize letters of the alphabet.

The Education Department-funded study offers no comparison with children who do not attend kindergarten, but officials said the first-ever look attempts to show what children know when they enter school and how that knowledge is shaped throughout their early school years.

Results of the study, which will follow the same children through the fifth grade, also could help advocates make a case for allocating to early childhood education more money for research and better programs.

"Kindergarten is doing exactly what it’s supposed to do," Education Secretary Richard Riley said. "It’s helping (all) children … pick up basic verbal and math skills."

Under the project, students will be tested regularly in math and reading and observed for physical well-being, social development and other factors that researchers say affect learning.

In the current study, by the end of kindergarten, 94 percent of the children could recognize letters, compared with 65 percent when they entered. Children who could recognize simple words rose from 2 percent to 13 percent. Math test scores rose eight points; reading scores increased 10 points.

While poor children did worse than others on academics and readiness for school, results showed that all kindergartners increased their knowledge and skills regardless of how much they knew at enrollment.

Children who are poor, non-English speaking or living with single or poorly educated parents had trouble catching up in their first year of school. They did not improve as much as better-off peers in advanced skills, such as solving math problems, the study said.

Though the German-born kindergarten program of developmental play, song and stories dates from the 1800s, it is far from universally embraced. All states provide kindergarten, and even pay for a half-day of it, but just 12 states and the District of Columbia require kindergarten before allowing a child to enter regular school. Kindergarten is not mandatory in Washington state.

Four million children are eligible each year for preschool or kindergarten, the department said. Only two-thirds of them are enrolled.

Copyright ©2000 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

The Victorian home sits on Whidbey Island. (Alyse Young for The Washington Post)
Whidbey couple thought they found their dream home — then came the bats

The couple had no recourse after unknowingly buying a home infested with thousands of bats.

The Snohomish County Jail is pictured on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Report reveals cause of Everett man’s death in Snohomish County Jail

Terry Crusha was booked into the jail on May 17. He died three days later, part of a string of deaths there.

Boeing workers file into Angel of the Winds Arena to vote on the latest contract proposal from the company on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing Machinists prepare to go back to work after strike ends

After voting no twice, 59% of union members approved the latest contract.

Twede’s Cafe is pictured at the corner of Bendigo Boulevard and North Bend Way on Sunday, June 9, 2024, in North Bend, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Relive ‘Twin Peaks’ with cherry pie and damn fine coffee at Twede’s Cafe

The North Bend cafe, known as Double R Diner on the campy cult-classic, serves up nostalgia and a damn good breakfast.

From left to right, Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay Evans and Lt. Serena Wileman. (Photos provided by the U.S. Navy)
Remains of Whidbey Island pilots to return this week

Lt. Cmdr Lyndsay Evans and Lt. Serena Wileman died in a crash on Oct. 15.

Everett
Everett men arrested in huge bust of Seattle drug ring

On Wednesday, investigators searched 31 locations, but suspects from Lynnwood and Edmonds remained at large, officials said.

Large logs flow quickly down the Snohomish River as the river reaches minor flood stage a hair over 25 feet following an overnight storm Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Rainy, gusty week to come in Snohomish County

The Snohomish River could reach the “action” flooding stage, but forecasters don’t expect any flooding here.

Police believe a driver fled a traffic stop and crashed into five people Saturday morning in Everett. (Photo provided by the Everett Police Department)
Police still working to identify driver in Everett crash that killed 3

A driver fleeing a traffic stop reportedly crashed into five people on the side of the road early Saturday.

"Missing from Fire Trail Road" tells the story of Mary Ellen Johnson-Davis, who has been missing from Tulalip since November 2020. (FilmRise)
‘Missing from Fire Trail Road’ premieres in Tulalip

Authorities are still looking for clues on the November 2020 disappearance of Mary Ellen Johnson-Davis.

Two couples walk along Hewitt Avenue around lunchtime on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to increase penalties for wage theft

The ordinance passed Wednesday makes it more difficult to earn city contracts after violating wage laws.

Police believe a driver fled a traffic stop and crashed into five people Saturday morning in Everett. (Photo provided by the Everett Police Department)
Police: Driver hit, killed 3 people after fleeing Everett traffic stop

Around 1 a.m. Saturday, a Snohomish County sheriff’s deputy tried to pull over a driver on Airport Road, police said.

Vernon Streeter looks over the fence at the Skykomish Substation operated by Puget Sound Energy on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in Skykomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Doesn’t make any sense’: Skykomish residents decry increased outages

Community members are frustrated about power outages and a lack of communication from Puget Sound Energy.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.