The Escalating Kindergarten Curriculum and its Effect on School Readiness
Sharon Hood
July 2003
The purpose of this study was to examine today’s escalating kindergarten curriculum and
its effect on school readiness. This study was done in 2003 in kindergarten at an
independent private school. The kindergarten class was composed of fifteen children,
with a mix of eight males and seven females. The study describes the relationship of
various variables of what makes a child school-ready. The study further describes the
relationship among variables as the best predictors of first grade readiness. Research
studies conducted on the records of kindergarten students attending a coed independent
private school show that teacher observations of the students is an important factor in
determining school readiness. Further research is suggested to involve a random sampling
with a wider range of children for better-informed decision making for grade placement.
In addition, research should explore the relationship between the educational curriculum
offered and summer birth date entrants’ achievement to inform educators, policymakers,
and parents how the definition of school readiness varies among schools to assist in
school placement.