Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program
The Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program (VKRP) builds a more comprehensive understanding of school readiness and success in the fall and spring of pre-kindergarten and kindergarten. For more details about the initiative, view the VKRP Snapshot and visit the VKRP website.
VKRP measures mathematics, self-regulation, and social skills to complement Virginia's statewide assessment of literacy skills using Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS).
Detailed reports at the student, classroom, school, and division/program levels can be used by teachers, families, administrators, school/division leaders, and other stakeholders. VKRP reports provide actionable information to help meet students’ needs at their current skill level, linking to recommended instructional resources. The reports also provide a snapshot of how students’ skills have grown across the year.
A combination of resources including training opportunities, instructional skill and strategy guides, a family resource library, and regular blog posts help teachers, administrators, and families to get the most out of VKRP.
VKRP Growth
In 2019, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation that required all kindergarten students be assessed annually using VKRP (HB30, Item 137, H).
During the 2021-2022 school year, VKRP became available to all publicly-funded preschool programs.
Project Status: Active
Funding Source: Virginia Department of Education
Principal Investigators: Amanda Williford (PI), Jessica Whittaker (Co-PI)
-
Related Articles
- CASTL Professor Leads the Way to Improve Kindergarten Readiness in Virginia
- VKRP Launches New Website, Plans to Expand Assessment Program In Coming Year
- Innovative Norfolk School Aims to Prepare All Children for Kindergarten
- Va. Legislature Awards Researchers $1M to Assess Kindergarten Readiness
- Virginia Legislature Expands UVA’s Kindergarten Readiness Program Statewide
- $10M in Funding Awarded to CASTL Researchers in 2018
- Closing the Early Childhood Opportunity Gap
- Boosting Kindergarten Readiness Through Professional Development
- Virginia Education Leaders Convene to Discuss Statewide Issues in Early Childhood Education
- Curry School Researchers Conduct First Statewide Kindergarten Readiness Assessment
- How Researchers, Policymakers and Practitioners Can Partner to Improve Early Childhood Education