Welcome to the
This is an exciting time for Kindergarten in Illinois. The
Illinois State Board of Education’s
Strategic Plan includes Goal Initiatives directly addressing
Kindergarten. The Kindergarten Early Learning Standards, this
Kindergarten Corner website, Kindergarten Focus Groups, and
the Governor’s proclamation for Kindergarten Day are
just a part of the comprehensive plan for supporting teachers,
administrators and parents of kindergarten children.
Celebrate Kindergarten Day
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Governor
Proclaims the 2nd Tuesday of September as Kindergarten Day
Illinois Early Learning Standards
for Kindergarten
The Illinois Early Learning Standards for Kindergarten
were unveiled on Kindergarten Day, September 12, 2006. Hard
copies of these standards can be obtained from attending one
of the trainings on the Kindergarten standards. Kindergarten
teachers are strongly encouraged to attend a training that
is currently being sponsored through the local Regional Offices
of Education. For teachers with Chicago Public Schools, information
on training is available from the CPS Early Childhood office
at (773) 553-1997. The training involves learning the history
of the standards, why we have standards, exploration of how
the standards should be used and on sharing the document with
others such as families and community partners.
Kindergarten Data
Illinois School Report Card
2006-2007 School Year
|
| K-Schedule |
Schools |
| All day |
1347 |
| Half day |
673 |
| All day and Half day |
234 |
| Total |
2254 |
| K-Enrollment |
Numbers |
| All day enrollment |
83,425 |
| Half day enrollment |
64,015 |
| Total Kindergarten Enrollment |
147,440 |
Kindergarten Quiz
Featured Expert
 Miriam
Trehearne has been a classroom teacher, resource teacher,
program specialist (exceptional needs students), coach, administrator
and University Associate. As a Literacy Specialist she led
a very successful research-based initiative in a large urban
school district (160 elementary schools) that resulted in
closing the literacy gaps in 56 high-needs schools. The results
have been documented by the University of Calgary and an
independent program evaluator.
Judy
Harris Helm, Ed.D., began her career
teaching first grade then taught 4 year olds, directed, and
designed early childhood programs and taught in teacher training
programs. For ten years she has been assisting early childhood
and elementary schools in integrating research and new methods
through her consulting and training company, Best Practices,
Inc.
Gaye
Gronlund (M.A.) is an early childhood education consultant
from Indianapolis. A former preschool, kindergarten, and
primary teacher, she now works with schools and programs
around the country helping them implement developmentally
appropriate curricular practices and authentic assessment
procedures.
Dr. Kathy Barclay
Dr. Barclay is a Professor of Reading and former department
chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Western
Illinois University where she has taught for the past twenty
years.
Kindergarten Chatter
Network with your colleagues on the new Kindergarten
Chatter discussion board. Discuss current issues and practices
concerning Kindergarten. Kindergarten Standards Field test
participants are already registered to participate. Others
may register by going to the Kindergarten Chatter site.
Resources
Full-Day
or Half-Day Kindergarten?
NAEYC Articles
Why
We Care About the K in K-12
Top Ten Signs
of a Good Kindergarten Classroom
Kindergarten
for Young Children with Disabilities
Across
the Nation - State Kindergarten Policies
NIEER Articles
States
Debate Full-Day Kindergarten
Illinois Early Learning Project
Kindergarten
Entry Age
Additional Resources
Outside Early Childhood Resources |
