We Achieve Our Full Potential

An Estimated

50%

of kindergarteners ARE SCHOOL READY

Source: E³ Alliance
*In 2015, the definition of population contained in Central Texas region was reduced marginally and the measure of school readiness was changed slightly.

WHERE DO WE STAND?

In 2019, half of Central Texas kindergartners were school ready according to data from Ready, Set, K!, a measure developed by the E3Alliance with the help of experts from across the region. In 2019, 51% of Central Texas kindergartners arrived school ready, compared to 41% in 2015.

The E³ Alliance works with a weighted sample of Central Texas kindergarten classrooms to test student’s social-emotional development, emerging literacy, language and communication, and math skills during the first 9 weeks of kindergarten.

Source: E³ Alliance
*In 2015, the definition of population contained in Central Texas region was reduced marginally and the measure of school readiness was changed slightly.

A FOCUS ON EQUITY

The greatest disparity in school readiness occurs by income. Approximately 38% of low-income kindergarteners were school ready in 2019, compared to 61% of children from moderate and high-income families. The gap in school readiness by income appears to have narrowed between 2016 and 2018. Children from wealthier families are 23% more likely to be school ready than their low-income peers.

Data Source: Tables B17001B, B17001D, B17001H, and B17001I, 2015-2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

*Due to the small sample size of Asian children under age 5 , this estimate is to be used with caution.

CHILD POVERTY

Since income has the greatest correlation to school readiness, it is helpful to consider the varying rates at which children of different races and ethnicities live in poverty. From 2015 to 2019, an estimated 30% of Black and 26% of Hispanic children under age 5 lived in households with incomes below the federal poverty level. Of the children under age 5 living in households with incomes below the federal poverty level, 72% were Hispanic, while 15% were Black.

Source: E³ Alliance
*In 2015, the definition of population contained in Central Texas region was reduced marginally and the measure of school readiness was changed slightly.

PRE-K HELPS CLOSE GAP

Only 78% of eligible children attend public Pre-K in Central Texas, according to research from the E3 Alliance. Half-day public Pre-K is available to children who have limited English proficiency, are economically disadvantaged, have an active duty military parent, or are homeless.

Children who attend pre-kindergarten programs are more likely to enter kindergarten school ready than children who did not attend pre-k. In 2019, 53% of children who attended pre-K were ready for school, compared to 35% of children who did not attend pre-K.

LOCAL EFFORTS

United Way for Greater Austin has worked with over 30 organizations to develop a School Readiness Action Plan . The Plan outlines strategies for our community to work toward the common goal of helping all children enter school ready to learn.
Improving school readiness is one of four goals of the E³ Alliance Blueprint for Educational Change, since school readiness is linked to success in 3rd grade reading and math.
Friends of the Children is a new mentorship program that supports children from Kindergarten through 12^th grade. The program targets children in poverty and children whose parents: did not graduate high school; are incarcerated; or were teenagers. Mentors are paid and commit to spend at least 16 hours with each participating student per month.