Indicator 1:	First grade readiness
	Trend
	vs. Georgia

What does it measure?

The Georgia Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (GKIDS), that replaced the GKAP test, is a year-long performance-based assessment. It measures the percentage of kindergarten children who enter first grade ready to succeed in the areas of English Language Arts (ELA), Math, Approaches to Learning, and Personal/Social Development. ELA tests the child’s writing, reading and oral abilities. The Math assessment tests the child’s general understanding of numbers and operations, measurement, geometry, data analysis and probability. Approaches to Learning evaluates the development of positive approaches toward learning new skills as well as using knowledge and skills students already possess, such as creativity or curiosity. The Personal and Social Development category evaluates the child’s ability to interact with other children and their capacity for self-regulation. The GKIDS test was administered for the first time in 2008-2009.

Why is it important?
The goal of the assessment program is to provide kindergarten and first grade teachers with diagnostic information and to identify a student’s strengths and weaknesses. At the end of the year, summary reports and individual student reports are generated based on the data the teacher has provided throughout the year. As the percentage of students ready to enter first grade increases, it suggests that the community is fostering a culture of learning and education prior to entering the elementary education system.

How are we doing?
The GKIDS results for the 2011-12 school year show that Chatham County English and Math results exceeded the Georgia results for the second consecutive year. The 2011-2012 English and Math GKIDS exam scores in Chatham County increased 2.7 and 2.9 percentage points, respectively, from the previous year, as compared to nearly stable rates in Georgia. The largest gains at the local level were achieved in Approach to Learning and Personal/Social Development, rising about seven percentage points each to 81.8% and 85.7%, respectively, of the children meeting or exceeding the standard. 

In Chatham County public schools, the lowest percentage of students meeting or exceeding a standard was in “Approach to Learning,” at 81.8% even though it increased 5.3 percentage points compared to the previous year. It has jumped above the Georgia rate of 76.5%.  proximately 86% of Chatham County public school children met or exceeded the standard for personal and social development in 2011-12. This increased from 2010-11, and is above the state figure of 82.1% in 2011-12.
 

PERCENT OF STUDENTS ENTERING FIRST GRADE READY TO SUCCEED: GKIDS RESULTS 2008-2011 FOR SAVANNAH-CHATHAM COUNTY Source: Savannah-Chatham County Public School System PERCENT OF STUDENTS ENTERING FIRST GRADE READY TO SUCCEED: GKIDS RESULTS 2008-2011 FOR GEORGIA Source: Georgia Department of Education