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District narrows kindergarten screener options and proposes new 'Ready, Set, Sore' readiness program
Summary
Staff presented three candidate kindergarten screening tools under consideration and outlined a new three‑week, locally funded kindergarten readiness summer program to serve about 30 at‑risk students; the committee agreed to forward the readiness program recommendation to the legislative meeting.
Upper Dublin SD staff told the education committee they are exploring replacement options for the district’s locally developed kindergarten screener and described a new targeted kindergarten readiness summer program.
On screening, staff said the current tool focuses largely on academic readiness and they have narrowed potential replacements to three candidates: Bracken (full version), a Speed Dial variant intended for faster administration, and the Brigance Early Childhood Screens. The presenters said the goal is a more robust instrument covering academic, cognitive, language and physical domains so the district can better design a kindergarten‑readiness program and more precisely identify at‑risk students. Staff said they will return with a recommendation in May or earlier via a briefing if timing requires.
On the summer readiness program, staff described “Ready, Set, Sore,” a three‑week Monday–Thursday program aligned with the ESY schedule (8 a.m.–noon) focused on self‑regulation, social‑emotional learning, fine motor and basic academic readiness. The proposal requests three teacher positions and three educational assistants to serve about 30 students in three small classes and explores using high‑school child‑development volunteers. Staffing and program costs were noted as included in the 26‑27 teaching & learning budget and locally funded.
When asked about student selection, staff said the new screening tool and outreach to at‑risk families will guide invitations and that the district would prioritize the most at‑risk students if demand exceeds capacity.
Ending: The committee agreed to forward the readiness program recommendation to the legislative meeting; staff will continue screening tool vetting and bring a formal recommendation in May or sooner if timing requires.
