COLUMBUS PRESCHOOLERS BEGIN RECEIVING LEARNING CHECKUPS
Thursday, 25 February 2010 16:09
New, first of its kind program seeks to improve Columbus City School students’ kindergarten readiness
Preschoolers with their parents began receiving Learning Checkups today as part of an innovative, new program, called Columbus Kids: Ready. Set. Learn., designed to increase the early detection of developmental delays and potential learning obstacles including speech, hearing and vision problems among future Columbus City School students. United Way of Central Ohio, the Columbus City Schools Education Foundation and Columbus City Schools are partnering to bring Columbus Kids: Ready. Set. Learn (columbuskids.org) to every preschooler, age 2 ½ to 4 years, in the Columbus City Schools district beginning with youngsters in the central city neighborhoods, including Weinland Park.
“This is a monumental effort, the first of its kind in the nation, that seeks to improve kindergarten readiness on this large of a scale,” said Dr. Gene T. Harris, Superintendent/CEO of Columbus City Schools.
All children in the targeted age group will receive a Learning Checkup every six months, and be directed to resources if the results identify a need. United Way of Central Ohio will follow up with families to help children get the help they need. Today’s checkups took place at Columbus Early Learning Centers - Northside, a nationally accredited, three star, Step Up to Quality program that primarily serves children from low-income families.
“Today nearly 40% of the children entering kindergarten in the Columbus City Schools district need intensive intervention. Another 40% need remediation in at least one area. By giving preschoolers a Learning Checkup and early help with skill development, we are investing in children when it is most cost-effective and when we can do the most to help them be successful, “ said Tanny Crane, President of the Columbus City Schools Foundation and the program funder.
United Way has developed a Columbus Kids campaign and will work with child care centers, local libraries, faith-based organizations, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and 30-plus community partners to make sure all eligible children receive a Learning Checkup. A child receives a free book and the family a $20 gift card, when the checkup is completed.
“Our future rests with our young children. And it rests with a better educated workforce. This will not happen unless we plan for it from the very start. United Way designed this unique program to help identify children with vision, speech, hearing and learning needs, and then provide families with assistance and resources so their child continues to grow and develop. Ultimately this will mean improved school readiness and less remediation in kindergarten and the early elementary school years,” said Janet Jackson, CEO of United Way of Central Ohio.
More than 12,000 children between the ages of two and a half and four live in the Columbus City Schools district. Columbus Kids will expand the program to a new neighborhood every nine to 10 months, until the entire community is served.
The Learning Checkup uses a highly researched, screening instrument (ASQ parent-completed, child monitoring system) with proven validity to screen young children for learning obstacles. Parents complete the checkup by answering a series of questions about their child. It takes 10-20 minutes and is free.
Families can find Learning Checkup locations by calling the Columbus Kids hotline at 614-241-3089 or by visiting www.columbuskids.org.
Columbus Kids is funded by the Columbus City Schools, Columbus City Schools Education Foundation, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, JP Morgan Chase Foundation, Limited Brands Foundation and individual donors.
