This is part 10 of my interview with Marilee Cosgrove of the Fullerton School District. Our focus was on “Lessons Learned” –creating an effective quality pre-school program in a public school context. Here, she talks about what they think about Kindergarten Readiness.
Q: Do you present this as “Kindergarten Readiness?”’
A: Well, you have to say “Our children are going to be Ready …. but “Ready” is really a horrible word. “Ready” means you remembered your lunch. Our children will be excited about Kindergarten. They are healthy – physically, socially and emotionally. They will have a joy for learning, and the skills to support that. You’ve got to keep documentation in front of them that clearly demonstrates the child’s ability to dig deeper in their investigations and concept development. 
Our superintendent was amazed – we showed him what we were doing at Richmond – I just sat back and the teachers showed him everything – their journals, etc – the teachers are proud, and trusted, and exposed to people who matter. So you can say “Kindergarten Readiness” – but that’s a low bar. It’s about all of school, and all of life.
Q: You’ve got MBA schools teaching social emotional stuff …
A: Yes, because no one has enough of it – the beginning, the right developmental stage, the creation of the self – it’s exactly the right time to focus on this important learning. It’s exciting.
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