• Related
  • Concerns over child readiness #2 - 08-11-09
Robb Westaby FOX 17 Web Producer

August 11, 2009
fox17-back-to-school-concerns-over-child-readiness

GRAND RAPIDS —
Quality preschools are key to child readiness for kindergarten, but early education advocates are afraid state budget cuts are going to affect that quality.

A new study to be released Tuesday shows that some young Michigan children about to enter kindergarten aren't ready for school. The study, a poll of 675 kindergarten teachers, is the first of its kind in the state. It shows that a significant number of children entering school lack the social and academic skills needed to succeed.

Early childhood education is considered critical bacause 85 percent of brain development occurs before the age of five.

But while the study shows the need for investment in early childhood education, the state budget is going in the other direction as legislatures look to cut possibly $200 million from education to balance the state budget.

FOX 17's Smita Kalokhe had live coverage on FOX 17 Morning News.