Preschool solutions aim at close 'preparedness gap' in Ogden


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OGDEN — Educators at James Madison Elementary in Ogden made a jaw-dropping discovery at the start of the school year. Of the 95 incoming kindergartners, four tested ready for school.

"When the kindergarten results are really low, all the other grades are affected," said principal Vincent Ardizzone.

Those numbers added urgency to a problem already identified in several Ogden neighborhoods: no access to preschool.

The United Way of Northern Utah had gone door-to-door and asked residents in targeted neighborhoods what the biggest problems were in their community.

"One of the biggest areas of need is that a lot of children are not prepared for kindergarten," said Tim Jackson with United Way of Northern Utah.

Existing free preschool options meet only 20 percent of the need in Ogden, where very few families can afford private preschool. So, Ogden leaders and educators quickly mobilized to find custom solutions.

Fast-forward to this summer. About 30 children are taking part in a summer pilot preschool program. Thanks to a grant and partnership with the Ogden School District and the YMCA, they're learning ABCs, numbers and even the shape of their snack crackers.

"The way the world is going and evolving, the kids need to be more ready," said teacher Heather Shaffer.

So, Ogden is trying to get them ready. The community has broken ground on a new preschool and will soon break ground on another. Newly released funding from the state Legislature will provide more access to high- quality, affordable preschool in Ogden.

Preschool solutions aim at close 'preparedness gap' in Ogden
Photo: KSL TV

Angela Wright with YMCA said these opportunities will get children on track for academic success.

"Studies have shown that early intervention with preschool shows impact down the road with the third-grade reading level," she said.

This collective effort will benefit more than 3- and 4- year-olds and their families; it will save taxpayers money.

Research from Voices for Utah Children shows students who enter school behind are often put in special education, and they rarely exit. The cost from kindergarten through 12th grade exceeds $33,000. In many cases, two years of preschool eliminates the need for special ed and costs $4,100.

"There's a large cost savings when kids are prepared," Jackson said. "When kids are prepared, then they can really get a good start to their academic career."

Ogden School District will see the outcome of its pilot preschool when test scores come out in August. In the meantime, kids will keep practicing letters so they can enter the classroom ready to learn this fall.

Deanie Wimmer anchors the KSL News and helps lead the Read Today program. contact her at deanie.wimmer@ksl.com

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