In Pequea Valley School District (PVSD), a goal has been set. The Together Initiative Network (TIN), which includes PVSD, along with area churches, ministries, and businesses, is aiming to have 90% of local children reading by third grade and reading proficiently by fourth grade. The goal is based on data that shows individuals are 10 times more likely to end up in generational poverty if they are not reading by third grade.

Part of reaching that goal is to prepare children for kindergarten by working with parents and their children in the birth-to-5 age group. Lisa Eckert, PVSD director of early learning since January of 2020, is measuring the outcomes of a number of steps the district is taking before children enter kindergarten.

"Our hope is they are starting off as prepared as possible," said Eckert, who uses an IU13 screening tool to measure academics and a screener developed by the district to gauge social and emotional readiness. "In the last two years, we have seen program involvement increase 18% and kindergarten readiness scores increased about 18%," said Eckert, who noted that a direct correlation can be drawn because parents who are attending programs with their child know what the district is looking for. "By coming to our programs, they know that their incoming kindergartner should be counting to 20 and working on letter sounds," she said. "When they come for their screening, I am hoping those students are more prepared."

Working on kindergarten readiness with parents and students begins when parents sign up for a kindergarten readiness kit, which means they will receive updates on early learning programs, such as Play and Learns, Transition Nights, and home visits. The kit encourages families to attend the Kindergarten Expo, Kinder Club, Kinder Camp, Popsicles in the Park, and community events such as Read Under the Lights, which will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29, at Pequea Valley High School.

Early learning handles kindergarten registration, and Eckert has set a goal to register students early so that they will receive a kindergarten readiness kit and have opportunities to attend programs. "Our goal was to get as many registered by May 1 as possible," she said, noting that two years ago, 65% of students were registered by May 1. In 2022, that number jumped to 90%. Other data included 91% of families receiving a kindergarten readiness kit, nearly 70% attending a transition night, and 85% taking part in an early learning program.

Eckert will continue to collect data to discover how much impact the program is having on third-grade reading goals. She works closely with Karla Beiler, director of elementary advocacy, whose office is just down the hall in the Braves Learning Center located at The Factory Ministries. Eckert believes working together is a key to project success. "Everybody communicating and working together on the same goal is really important," she said. "It's a collaborative project. Everybody is involved."

More information about the program may be found by clicking on the "Early Learning" tab at http://www.pequeavalley.org.