School Readiness

Ready System, Ready Child

Every child, in every community deserves access to high quality, evidence-based early learning experiences. A strong start is crucial to ensuring students' ultimate success in school, postsecondary education, in the workforce and 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 Early Childhood, the Early Childhood Leadership Commission, University partners, and other state and local agencies.

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Colorado’s School Readiness Description

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 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, 2023.

News and Announcements

Recordings for the Back-to-School Events are posted for the 2024-2025 school year. Visit the Training and Meetings webpage to register.
The Colorado Achievement Plan for Kids Legislative Report (2025) is now available on the School Readiness Resources webpage. This report details the results of the 2024 kindergarten school readiness data collection.
During the June 2023 State Board of Education meeting, the Board approved tools to meet the kindergarten school readiness assessment requirements. For more information on the KSR review process, visit the review webpage.
A Kindergarten School Readiness Assessment Timeline is available. This timeline provides an overview of the kindergarten school assessment timeline.
Kindergarten School Readiness Guide: The purpose of this guide is to support the implementation of kindergarten school readiness as it pertains to statutory requirements in Colorado.
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.
Improvement Planning and Early Learning guidance and documents are now available.