School Readiness

Students, including Isaac De Oliviera Matielo, center, listen as kindergarten teacher Christin Labriola, left, reads the book "Dumpling Soup" to her class, incorporating Asian American and Pacific Islander subjects in her class at Webster Hill Elementary School in West Hartford, Conn., on Dec. 2, 2025.
Students listen as a kindergarten teacher reads the book "Dumpling Soup" to her class at Webster Hill Elementary School in West Hartford, Conn., on Dec. 2, 2025. When it comes to kindergarten readiness, boys generally score lower than girls—a gap that tends to widen over time.
Jessica Hill/AP Photo
Early Childhood Why Boys Start Kindergarten Behind Girls
Kindergarten readiness data tell us that gender gaps start as soon as school does.
Elizabeth Heubeck, July 31, 2026
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4 min read
As part of Portland Parks environmental education, preschoolers and their parents take part in a guided nature hike through Laurelhurst Park on Feb. 13, 2026. Fewer than 60% of Oregon parents report their young child has hit milestones to be ready for kindergarten.
Preschoolers and their parents take part in a Portland Parks guided nature hike through Laurelhurst Park in Oregon on Feb. 13, 2026. A growing number of preschools nationwide rely on early assessments to gauge baseline development and progress. But many teachers express concerns.
Ross William Hamilton/oregonlive.com via TNS
Early Childhood Too Young to Test? How Teachers Feel About Early Childhood Assessments
A growing number of early elementary public school students are required to take assessments.
Elizabeth Heubeck, July 28, 2026
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5 min read
Yamileth Escalera tosses a red foam cube into a container full of water during a pre-K prep program at Castleberry Elementary School in Fort Worth on June 29, 2026. The students had to guess whether their chosen object would float or sink when dropped in water.
During a pre-K prep program at Castleberry Elementary School in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 29, 2026, Yamileth Escalera tosses a red foam cube into a container of water as part of an activity where students guess whether their chosen object will float or sink. Increasingly, students in pre-K and kindergarten are required to complete standardized assessments to measure their development and preparedness.
Elvis Martinez-Cartagena/Fort Worth Star-Telegram via TNS
Early Childhood Q&A This State Has a New Kindergarten Assessment—No Computer, Pen or Paper Required
The assessment evaluates 16 items in four separate foundational skills categories.
Elizabeth Heubeck, July 24, 2026
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8 min read
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A student washes her hands at a school in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Feb. 12, 2026. Emotional regulation tops teachers’ kindergarten readiness lists.
Kevin Mohatt for Education Week
Early Childhood What Teachers Really Want From Kindergartners Isn’t Academic
Reading readiness barely registers on teachers' wish list. Here's what counts.
Elizabeth Heubeck, June 25, 2026
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3 min read
A kindergartner, 5, stands with her arms crossed as she waits for classmates to use the restroom before they can return to the classroom, on Aug. 14, 2014, at an elementary school in Beecher, Mich.
A kindergartner, 5, stands with her arms crossed as she waits for classmates to use the restroom before they can return to the classroom, on Aug. 14, 2014, at an elementary school in Beecher, Mich.
Jake May/The Flint Journal via AP
Early Childhood Who’s Responsible for Toilet Training? Schools or Families?
Districts grapple with how to respond when students aren't toilet-trained.
Elizabeth Heubeck, May 15, 2026
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4 min read
Images of impact on students during the COVID-19 pandemic including wearing masks, social distancing, empty classrooms, and some symbols of executive function.
Collage by Laura Baker/Education Week + Charles Krupa/AP
Student Well-Being & Movement What the Research Says Kids' Executive Function Skills Took a Hit During COVID. What Can Schools Do?
Children are struggling to master skills related to memory, attention, and self-control.
Lauraine Langreo, May 4, 2026
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6 min read
Four-year-old Ethan Quinn leaves home for his daycare center in Concord, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023. Ethan's parents opted to keep him in a private daycare center instead of enrolling him in “transitional kindergarten” — a program offered for free by California elementary schools for some 4-year-olds. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A four-year-old prepares to leave home for his daycare center in Concord, Calif., on Nov. 1, 2023. His parents chose private daycare over California’s free “transitional kindergarten” program for some 4-year-olds—a decision that reflects how families often navigate limited time, work demands, and early education options in shaping school readiness.
Jae C. Hong/AP
Early Childhood Teachers Blame Parents for Young Learners' Deficits. But There's a Bigger Story
Teachers and parents are experiencing similar levels of stress caring for and educating kids.
Elizabeth Heubeck, April 30, 2026
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5 min read
Watercolor illustration of a diverse group of young kindergarten through 3rd grade school children all holding their own digital device.
Illustration by Gina Tomko/Education Week + Canva
Early Childhood 'Addicted to Screens': Teachers Sound the Alarm on Their Youngest Students
Too many students are entering school unprepared to learn, according to a national survey of early educators.
Elizabeth Heubeck, April 2, 2026
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4 min read
Kindergartener Jaxon Schofield-Wood leaps off the bus excited for his first day of school on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, at Thomson Elementary School in Davison, Mich.
A kindergartener leaps off the bus excited for his first day of school on Aug. 21, 2023, in Davison, Mich. Since 2017, the practice of redshirting has remained fairly steady at about 5% of all would-be incoming kindergartners, save for a bump during the pandemic among all children—most notably from families in high-poverty school districts.
Jake May/The Flint Journal via AP
Early Childhood Has the Practice of Redshirting Kindergartners Peaked?
Holding kids back from kindergarten may be less popular than expected. Here's why.
Elizabeth Heubeck, April 1, 2026
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5 min read
Pre-K 4 SA students play on the playground, Oct. 9, 2025, in San Antonio.
Pre-K 4 SA students play on the playground, Oct. 9, 2025, in San Antonio. A new survey from the EdWeek Research Center found that educators are seeing declines in young students’ behavior, motor skills, and basic tasks.
Eric Gay/AP
Early Childhood From Our Research Center Toileting and Tying Shoes: Young Students Increasingly Lack Basic Skills
National survey finds more students struggle with basic foundational skills.
Elizabeth Heubeck, March 13, 2026
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1 min read
Dr. Sara Bode (far right) high fives Juri Sleet, 4, after she and Crystal Webb, a kindergarten readiness coordinator talk with Sleet's grandma, Quintina Davis (left) about the literacy screening they gave Sleet at Linden Primary Care Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio.
Dr. Sara Bode (far right) high fives Juri Sleet, 4, after she and Crystal Webb, a kindergarten readiness coordinator, talk with Sleet's grandmother, Quintina Davis (left), about the literacy screening they gave Sleet at Linden Primary Care Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio.
Jessica Phelps/AP
Early Childhood Q&A Assessing Kindergarten Readiness—During Routine Pediatric Checkups
An Ohio pediatric hospital's clinics assess preschoolers' literacy readiness during routine visits.
Elizabeth Heubeck, March 6, 2026
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8 min read
Celenia Romero reads to her Prek-5 students in the library at CentroNia in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025.
Celenia Romero reads to her Prek-5 students in the library at CentroNia in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. Many preschoolers struggle with handling books as screen use rises, raising early literacy concerns.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Early Childhood Kids Are Entering Preschool More Comfortable With Screens Than Books. What Now?
Screen time is rising among the youngest students. Experts explain its effect on literacy skills.
Elizabeth Heubeck, February 18, 2026
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4 min read
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Early Childhood How Old Should a Kindergartner Be? Parents and Districts Clash Over Cutoff Dates
As some districts and states strictly enforce kindergarten cutoff dates, parents feel the squeeze.
Elizabeth Heubeck, September 12, 2025
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6 min read
Northeast kindergarten teacher Patty Benjamin and Valeria Jackson gets students settled in their new classroom at Northeast Elementary located at 1024 Fleming Ave. on the first day of school on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025.
Kindergarten students get settled in their new classroom at Northeast Elementary in Jackson, Mich., on the first day of school on Aug. 20, 2025. Across the country, educators report that kindergartners are struggling with regulating their emotions.
Abra Richardson/Tribune News Service
Student Well-Being & Movement Is More Playtime the Antidote to Kindergartners’ Behavior Problems?
Kindergartners are struggling with self-control—a key indicator of kindergarten readiness. Is more unstructured play a solution?
Elizabeth Heubeck, August 22, 2025
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4 min read