School Readiness

COVID-19 and Preschool Through 3rd Grade Education

CDE's Preschool Through 3rd Grade Office has gathered resources to help answer questions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic as it relates to our early learners in Preschool Through 3rd Grade.

School Readiness
Assessment Support

COVID-19 Resources
for Schools

Ready Child, Ready System

Every child, in every community deserves access to high quality, evidence-based early learning experiences. A strong start is crucial to ensuring student’s ultimate success in school, postsecondary education, in the workforce and in life (§22-7-1002). Effective, engaging programming within an aligned system ready for every child will ensure a child’s preparedness to benefit from learning experiences.

To support ready children, ready schools, and partnerships within communities, School Readiness supports ongoing, aligned assessments to inform instruction, Pk-3 transitions, and full-day Kindergarten in partnership with the Colorado Department of Human Services, the Early Childhood Leadership Commission, University partners, and other state and local agencies.

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Colorado’s School Readiness Definition

School readiness describes both the preparedness of a child to engage in and benefit from learning experiences, and the ability of a school to meet the needs of all students enrolled in publicly funded preschool or kindergarten. School readiness is enhanced when schools, families, and community service providers work collaboratively to ensure that every child is ready for higher levels of learning in academic content. State Board of Education, 2017.

News and Announcements

Preschool-Kindergarten Transitions: Transition to kindergarten resources are now available. These resources were created through the Birth-Five Preschool Development Grant in partnership with the National P-3 Center and the Office of Early Childhood.
The Colorado Achievement Plan for Kids Legislative Report (2022) is now available on the School Readiness Resources webpage. This report details the results of the 2021 kindergarten school readiness data collection.
Improvement Planning and Early Learning guidance and documents are now available.
Preschool-Kindergarten Transitions: In partnership with the National P-3 Center, the Preschool-Third Grade Office hosted an opportunity specifically focused on the impact of COVID on transitions in preschool and Kindergarten. View the recording of the session.