Students across the country are familiar with testing. Those who attend school in a state that follows the Common Core State Standards must complete assessments every spring. Most students also take the ACT, SAT and practice tests during high school. Even districts and states have their own series of tests. As such, the drill of pulling out a No. 2 pencil is basically muscle memory for many students. In 2015, another exam may make its way to the roster. According to NPR, more states are expected to adopt Kindergarten Entry Assessments this year.
What are they?
KEAs are designed to ascertain a variety of information about incoming kindergartners, from what they know cognitively to what learning challenges they may face. The tests typically cover five major areas: language development/early literacy, cognitive development (science and math), approaches to learning, social and emotional development and physical health and development. Ideally, the test results will show how ready students are to begin their kindergarten education. What's more, they may help predict areas in which students will struggle – that knowledge can arm teachers to better serve each student's unique needs.
Additionally, administering KEAs provides states with years of data. Each test indicates how prepared that generation is for kindergarten and the subjects that early education may need to buff up to better ensure students are ready for K-12.
State by state
Each state individually decides whether it will offer KEAs. The exams are not part of the Common Core, so states that do not follow the Standards may still have KEAs. Those states that opt in must create an assessment that's aligned with their standards for early childhood education. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, as of 2010, 25 states have created and begun using KEAs.
NPR predicts more states will begin funding kindergarten readiness programs, including those that use KEAs. As the country focuses more on the benefits of early childhood education, making sure students are ready to move on after preschool is important. In fact, President Barack Obama has continuously shown support for funding and developing early education programs.
"What makes America exceptional isn't just the size of our economy or our influence around the globe – that is a byproduct of a more fundamental fact about America. The promise we make to our children; the idea that no matter who they are, what they look like, where they start, how much their parents earn, they can make it if they try." The President said in a statement regarding early education. "It's the essential promise of America – that where you start should not and will not determine how far you can go. And we're here today because it's never too early in a child's life to begin delivering on that promise."
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