MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – In the latest assessment of kindergarten readiness, Marion County Public Schools (MCPS) has come out with notable achievements.
The recent data from Florida’s Department of Education (FDOE) shows substantial progress made by Marion County’s youngest learners. With a focused approach on early education, Marion County says it has seen a significant rise in kindergarten scores, boosting its statewide rankings.
Last September, a big difference was noticed in the readiness levels of students participating in Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) programs. According to a news release from MCPS, 64% of these students were deemed ready for kindergarten, a stark contrast to the 35% readiness rate among those who did not participate in the program.
Among Florida’s 67 school districts, Marion County now ranks 37th in kindergarten performance. This is a quite a difference from its previous 66th position. The county says it’s a reflection of its commitment to early childhood education.
The news release further states Superintendent Dr. Diane Gullett attributes this success to strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing early learning opportunities. Dr. Gullett spearheaded the inclusion of VPK programs across all elementary schools within the district.