OSPI looks at additional educational supports

Reykdall discusses transitional kindergarten and free school supplies and books

OLYMPIA — Washington’s youngest learners need an extra boost, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal said Thursday in a press conference. “Roughly 20 to 25% of Washington students enter kindergarten needing additional supports in literacy. That's a big number. We obviously get 70%, 80% of those students to important standards by the end, and we graduate 85-plus (percent) or more of our students. So we make great progress. But the work involved in the challenges for young people when they come not quite prepared for kindergarten is significant. And we can do something about that.” One thing Reykdal said Washington is doing about that is partnering with singer/actress Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program. Children who sign up for the Imagination Library can have one age-appropriate book mailed to them every month from birth to age 5, according to the Imagination Library Washington website. The Washington Legislature has entered into an agreement with Imagination Library to provide matching funds to local organizations to expand the program statewide, Reeykdal said, using surplus money from emergency relief funds...