Aiken County Public Schools launched a 10-week evening developmental program in January to help pre-kindergarten students prepare for school. Data gathered following the program’s completion earlier this month and feedback from parents shows that students who participated in the program experienced growth in a number of measurable skill areas.
“We saw encouraging growth with the students and the feedback we received from our parents and teachers really confirmed the data we collected measuring student skills before and after the program. We are thrilled these students are more prepared than ever for school in August,” commented Jennifer Stark, Early Learning Programs Coordinator for Aiken County Public Schools.
The program was held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings between January 29, 2019, and April 4, 2019. Students were instructed utilizing the District’s current 4k curriculum. They were also provided with a snack and a nutritious evening meal. District pre-kindergarten teachers led classroom instruction, and early childhood college graduates served as teaching assistants.
The program began at 4:15 p.m. each scheduled day, and was held at Millbrook Elementary School, Mossy Creek Elementary School, Gloverville Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School, Busbee Elementary School, Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary School, Greendale Elementary School and Redcliffe Elementary School and served around 100 total students, and an average of 60 students per week.
Prior to the start of the program, and again following the completion of the program, students were assessed in a number of key skill areas such as recognizing upper and lower case letters, and identifying shapes and colors. The results of the post-program were quite positive.
At Millbrook Elementary, an average of three students out of an average weekly participation of 14 students did not recognize upper case letters prior to the start of the program. Following the program’s completion, all 14 weekly participating students recognized upper case letters. At Gloverville Elementary, only two students out of an average of nine weekly participants could trace their names at the start of the program. All nine weekly participating students were able to trace their names at the conclusion of the program.
Parents were also provided with a District survey in which they provided feedback and gauged for themselves how their students had improved and progressed during the evening program.
Of parents who submitted a survey response, nearly half of the 56 participating families, 88% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed their child is better-prepared for Kindergarten as a result of participating in the ACPSD 4K Evening Program.
Examples of parent survey comments are below:
- My daughter enjoyed the 4k evening program. The staff was great and worked with her on her level – 4K Evening Program Parent
- The program was great! The teachers were awesome, and my son was excited to go every Tuesday and Thursday – 4K Evening Program Parent
- I am so happy that my children were able to attend the 4K evening program. The 4K program helped my kids where and when they needed it most. We saw tremendous growth in their number, letter, and even word recognition as a result of this program. The Waterford program was a favorite for my kids and I am so appreciative that we will be able to continue that over the summer – 4K Evening Program Parent
Stark says participating families were also provided with continued access to Waterford’s online Smart Start program through this summer.
“Not only were we able to see growth in the letters the students understood, numerals they could recognize and whether or not they could write their name, but they also learned how to use a mouse and a computer and picked up skills such as opening milk cartons,” commented Stark. “Coupled with their academic growth, those softer skills will help students avoid anxiety and immediately feel more comfortable when school begins, and we are excited about that.”
The District plans to continue the program during the 2019-20 school year, with a goal of increasing the overall number of students served as well as the average number of students served at each school location.
For additional information please contact Jennifer Stark, Early Learning Programs Coordinator for Aiken County Public Schools, at (803) 663-4204.
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LINK TO DISTRICT PRESS RELEASE: 2019 PR 4K EVENING PROGRAM RECAP