In what may be the first use of a kindergarten readiness measure with preschool students in Los Angeles County, a study released today by Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP) showed that preschool students demonstrate significant increases in the skills they need to succeed in kindergarten.

The study, commissioned by LAUP and compiled by San Jose-based Applied Survey Research (ASR), assessed 437 children at 24 LAUP preschools throughout Los Angeles County in the fall of 2008. Using the Student Observation Form at the beginning of the school year to monitor 24 individual skills/behaviors, teachers assessed the preschoolers in the following main categories:

1. Self-care and motor skills.
2. Self-regulation.
3. Social expression.
4. General knowledge.
5. Overall readiness.

In the spring of 2009, teachers re-assessed a matched sample of the original group of students who participated in the study at LAUP preschools to determine changes in their school readiness. The study showed that the percentage of children who demonstrated near-proficiency across all building blocks increased from 22 percent in the fall of 2008 to 72 percent in the spring of 2009.

Among English language learner (ELL) students, the study showed that they scored significantly lower than their non-ELL peers in the fall of 2008 in all kindergarten readiness categories. But by the spring of 2009, almost all of those significant differences had disappeared. These changes may have been influenced by improvements in the English language abilities of ELL students during the preschool year, or in the increasing ease of communication between teachers and children throughout the school year.

“The results of this study are very exciting,” said Celia C. Ayala, chief operating officer of LAUP.  “We know from a previous ASR study that followed children from the beginning of kindergarten to fifth grade that those who scored between the In Progress and Proficient levels across all readiness skills at the beginning of kindergarten performed significantly better on English and Math California Standard Tests in third, fourth and fifth grades than did children who scored less well.”

Preschoolers in this study showed an increase in scores from fall to spring when it came to overall kindergarten readiness, self-care and motor skills, self-regulation, social expression and general knowledge. Overall, children’s kindergarten readiness scores improved from fall to spring in all Basic Building Block areas of readiness. The greatest gains in readiness were made in the area of General Knowledge.

“The children who were assessed in this study showed significant improvement in terms of ability and skills that will help them succeed in kindergarten and provide them with the building blocks for a successful future,” said Ayala. “This is why making quality preschool education more accessible and affordable is such a critical issue that needs to be addressed by our policy makers.”

To view the full study, please click here.