School Readiness Scores

The School Readiness Scores indicator measures the percent of kindergarteners ready to enter first grade. It includes the readiness of the individual child, the school’s readiness for children, and the ability of the family and community to support optimal early child development. Children are not innately ready or unready for school. Their skills and development are strongly influenced by their families and through their interactions with other people and environments before coming to school. With 81 percent of U.S. children in non-parental care arrangements the year before kindergarten, child care centers and family child care homes are important early environments that affect children’s development and learning. Furthermore, early childhood education is linked to stronger cognitive and physical development, and improved school and employment outcomes. Early childhood education, especially within the first five years of life, has demonstrated positive effects on children’s health and well-being up to three decades later, including better reproductive health and birth outcomes. School readiness is typically assessed by evaluating the child’s developmental and academic skills through the use of standardized group or individually administered school readiness tests. It is not surprising that this approach has been shown to poorly predict later academic success as it largely ignores the influence that the home and school environments play in the student’s progress in school. Data for the School Readiness Scores is available from the Alabama Department of Children’s Affairs.

Neighborhood Indicator Value Ranksort descending
Spring Lake -% -
Brown Springs -% -
East Brownville -% -
Germania Park -% -
Liberty Highlands -% -
Powderly -% -
Sun Valley -% -
Brownsville Heights -% -
East Lake -% -
Glen Iris -% -
Maple Grove -% -
Redmont Park -% -
Tarpley City -% -
Brummitt Heights -% -
East Thomas -% -
Grasselli Heights -% -
Mason City -% -
Riley -% -
Rising - West Princeton -% -
Thomas -% -
Bush Hills -% -
Eastwood -% -
Graymont -% -
North Avondale -% -
Roebuck -% -
Tuxedo -% -
Central City -% -
Echo Highlands -% -
Green Acres -% -
North Birmingham -% -
Roebuck Springs -% -
Wahouma -% -
Central Park -% -
Enon Ridge -% -
Harriman Park -% -
North East Lake -% -
Roosevelt -% -
West Brownville -% -
Central Pratt -% -
Ensley -% -
Highland Park -% -
North Pratt -% -
Sandusky -% -
West End Manor -% -
College Hills -% -
Ensley Highlands -% -
Hillman -% -
North Titusville -% -
Sherman Heights -% -
West Goldwire -% -
Collegeville -% -
Evergreen -% -
Hillman Park -% -
Norwood -% -
Smithfield -% -
Woodland Park -% -
Crestline -% -
Fairmont -% -
Hooper City -% -
Oak Ridge -% -
Smithfield Estates -% -
Acipco-Finley -% -
Woodlawn -% -
Crestwood North -% -
Fairview -% -
Huffman -% -
Oak Ridge Park -% -
South East Lake -% -
Airport Highlands -% -
Wylam -% -
Crestwood South -% -
Five Points South -% -
Industrial Center -% -
Oakwood Place -% -
South Pratt -% -
Apple Valley -% -
Zion City -% -
Dolomite -% -
Forest Park -% -
Inglenook -% -
Overton -% -
South Titusville -% -
Arlington - West End -% -
Druid Hills -% -
Fountain Heights -% -
Jones Valley -% -
Oxmoor -% -
South Woodlawn -% -
Belview Heights -% -
East Avondale -% -
Garden Highlands -% -
Killough Springs -% -
Penfield Park -% -
Southside -% -
Bridlewood -% -
East Birmingham -% -
Gate City -% -
Kingston -% -
Pine Knoll Vista -% -

Key Citations:
1. Karoly LA. Early Childhood Interventions: Proven Results, Future Promise. RAND Corporation, 2005.
2. Lesnick, Joy, et al. "Reading on grade level in third grade: How is it related to high school performance and college enrollment." Chicago: Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago (2010).
3. McKey, Ruth Hubbell. "The Impact of Head Start on Children, Families and Communities. Final Report of the Head Start Evaluation, Synthesis and Utilization Project." (1985).
4. Schweinhart L, Montie J, 2004. The High/Scope Perry Preschool Study to Age 40. High/Scope Educational Research Foundation. High/Scope Educational Research Foundation. Accessed on December 21, 2012: http://www.highscope.org/Content.asp?ContentId=219.
5. http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/121/4/e1008.ful....
6. http://journal.naeyc.org/btj/200401/Maxwell.pdf.
7. West, J., K. Denton, & E. Germino-Hausken. 2000. America’s kinder- gartners: Findings from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998–99, fall 1998. Washington, DC: U.S. De- partment of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.
8. Ellwein, Walsh, Eads & Miller, 1991; Carlton & Winsler, 1999.