Board reviews program evaluations for Early Education Center and SAGE gifted program; district outlines next steps

District staff presented the results of two program evaluations — one for the Early Education Center (EEC) and one for the SAGE gifted program — during a board workshop, outlining strengths, opportunities and next steps for both programs.

The Early Education Center evaluation reported that roughly 48.7% of the district’s students were observed as "kindergarten ready," matching the district average of 48.8%. Full‑day preschool students performed higher than the district average on the district’s kindergarten observation tool; students with no prior preschool experience showed much lower readiness (about 23%). Presenters emphasized that access to preschool correlated with stronger kindergarten readiness rates and highlighted the importance of funding sources such as MOQPK (a state-funded Pre‑K initiative) and ADA-based funding for full‑day classes.

Katie Lawson, who led the early education segment, described the EEC’s four pillars — student–family connection, guaranteed and viable curriculum, belonging, and reflective practice — and said the team narrowed early‑learning standards to 14…