BACK TO SCHOOL

Utah School Districts Prepare After Thousands Of Children Skipped Kindergarten

Aug 9, 2021, 11:49 PM | Updated: Jul 14, 2023, 10:44 am

SALT LAKE CITYEnrollment numbers show thousands of Utah children missed out on kindergarten last year because of the pandemic, which could impact their learning for years to come.

So, will they be ready or not as students head back to school?

Marcello clicked on his computer program to identify the letter “C.”

Applause confirmed he chose the right letter.

“It’s helping me read,” he proclaimed proudly.

Marcello is one of thousands of Utah children who lost learning opportunities during COVID.

Marcello participates in an on-line school readiness program called Waterford Upstart. (KSL TV)

He struggled when part of his kindergarten was online.

His mom, Erika Aleman, was worried at first.

“Having it look like there would be no classes and he’d basically lose the school year,” she said.

The Davis School District also had concerns. Of their 20,000 students in Pre-K through 3rd grade, 5,000 were identified as not reading at grade level.

“Our littlest learners are the ones who didn’t get all the academic attention that they needed to get,” said Belinda Kuck, director of teaching and learning.

But those were just the students they knew about.

During the pandemic, Davis District’s kindergarten enrollment dropped a whopping 22 percent. More than 1,100 five and six-year-olds didn’t get their start to school.

KSL-TV surveyed most of Utah’s largest school districts and found a similar situation:

  • Salt Lake District — enrollment dropped 20%
  • Ogden District — enrollment dropped 19%
  • Granite District — enrollment dropped 16%
  • Jordan, Alpine and Canyons all saw smaller declines, but still lost hundreds of kindergartners.

The Utah State Board of Education reports statewide kindergarten enrollment dropped 9.7 percent during the 2020-2021 school year.

Davis District’s kindergarten enrollment dropped a whopping 22 percent during the pandemic. (KSL TV) Salt Lake District’s kindergarten enrollment dropped 20 percent during the pandemic. (KSL TV) Ogden District’s kindergarten enrollment dropped 19 percent during the pandemic. (KSL TV) Granite District’s kindergarten enrollment dropped 16 percent during the pandemic. (KSL TV) The Utah State Board of Education reports statewide kindergarten enrollment dropped 9.7% during the 2020-2021 school year. (KSL TV)

In what the New York Times calls the “Kindergarten Exodus,” nationwide data suggests kindergarten enrollment declined 9.3%.

So, what’s the big deal about children missing kindergarten?

“What they learn between kindergarten and third grade will affect everything else they do,” said Kuck.

In Utah, kindergarten isn’t mandatory, so many parents pulled their children to homeschool during the pandemic.

Others simply sat out the pandemic, and in some districts, students’ only choice was home school.

Within all those reasons, students of color were three times more likely to stay home than return to school in person, according to a survey of 677 school districts by the Associated Press and Chalkbeat.

So, the COVID impact exacerbated the learning gap for many of the most at-risk students.

Salt Lake kindergarten teacher Hannah Wille said she’s concerned about those children getting left behind.

“If a student isn’t on grade level by a certain age, then that deficit just keeps growing, and it becomes exponentially harder for a student to catch up,” she said.

Several studies underscore that concern. Seventy-four percent of children who are still struggling by third grade won’t ever catch up.

Utah schools are taking unprecedented measures to get them ready for the upcoming school year.

In the Salt Lake School District, they offered full-day summer school and extended the program two extra weeks.

They’ll also continue after-school programs.

In the Davis District, in addition to summer school, students like Marcello participated in an on-line school readiness program called Waterford Upstart.

The Utah program offers school districts and families software, hardware — if needed — and family coaching.

“It provides students with the strong foundation and also teachers with the data they need for further intervention, if they need it,” said Jenni Torres, senior vice president of curriculum for Waterford.

Upstart has proven so successful, the Utah Legislature has increased funding.

State and private funding will provide Upstart for free to any Utah family that wants it for their young learners.

Marcelo’s mother said the program is helping him enter first grade prepared.

“It’s going to pay off because he’s received, and mom has supported and led and directed him in working in the Waterford program,” said Kuck.

The other group that will be vital in making sure students are prepared is Utah’s kindergarten teachers. Every year, they get students with a broad range of skills, so they are skilled at assessing students, and they clearly understand what is at stake.

“Early learning is so important — it gets our students off to the right start,” said Holley McIntosh, math supervisor in the Salt Lake District. “It helps them develop good attitudes about school and it sets an academic foundation.”

KSL 5 TV Live

Back to School

Holly Duke teaches all-day kindergarten at West Kearns Elementary....

Deanie Wimmer

High stakes of kindergarten readiness; what Utah schools are doing to improve student performance

Ready for kindergarten used to mean a child turned five by the cutoff date. But as the stakes and expectations get higher, teachers are encountering some surprising behaviors.

6 months ago

This week KSL+ looks at what school districts describe as “chronic absenteeism” in Utah’s sch...

Braden McElreath and Michael Houck, KSL TV

8 Utah schools have been placed on lockdown since the start 2023-2024 school year

In just two and a half weeks, seven Utah schools have issued seven lockdown protocols. 

7 months ago

Follow @KSL5TVLike us on Facebook...

Dan Rascon

Bingham High seniors petition due to school parking shortage

Some Bingham High School seniors in South Jordan, say a new parking policy for students is now preventing them from finding open stalls.

7 months ago

The outside of Ella Vista Elementary School. (KSL TV)...

Shelby Lofton

Bella Vista Elementary starts school year without air conditioning

Another Utah school is starting its school year without any AC.

7 months ago

McKinley Elementary School, Box Elder County School District. (KSL TV)...

Karah Brackin and Mary Culbertson, KSL TV

Box Elder School District among the last to head back to school; largely due to the County Fair

Box Elder School District heads back to school as one of the last districts to do so in the state. While they have unique factors to consider, students and administration are pumped for the new school year.

7 months ago

The Timekettle Translator earbuds that Herriman High School uses for their international students....

Karah Brackin and Michael Houck, KSL TV

New translation device helps international students in classes and studies

As Herriman High School continues to see the number of international students increasing, the school is turning to a game-changing device that is helping break down the language barrier.

7 months ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Utah School Districts Prepare After Thousands Of Children Skipped Kindergarten