GAO: Over Half of Kindergartners in Five States Weren't Ready for School
A watchdog review of data from five states found big readiness gaps tied to student background and school.
The GAO, a watchdog agency, reports that more than half of kindergarten students in five states weren't ready for grade school. It reviewed data from Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland and Ohio. It also found large differences in readiness depending on children's backgrounds and where they attended school.
Why it matters Kindergarten is where children start building skills they rely on for years. If many arrive without those basics, teachers may face a tougher job, and some kids could begin behind their classmates. The gaps by background and school suggest that readiness isn't the same for every child.
What you can do Parents and caregivers of young children can ask their local school or district what "ready for kindergarten" means there and what early learning support is available.
Source: Just the News
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- Just the News · Nov 14, 2026
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