On this edition of “Virginia Conversations” , we’re heading into the classroom for a lesson on “E-3”. That stands for “Elevate Early Education”. The organization was started last year by a group of business, civic, and philanthropic leaders, with the goal of making early education a top priority for state leaders. So, how’s E-3 working so far? Find out with guests Gary McCollum and Lisa Howard as they talk with Virginia Conversations host May-Lily Lee.
Fast Facts from E3
Virginia
- 90% of a child’s brain is developed by the age of 5.
- 1 in 7 kindergartners arrives without basic reading skills. That’s 13% of our children that need additional help in reading.
- By kindergarten entry, many children are so far behind that they may never catch up.
- Children not reading proficiently in third grade are four times more likely not to graduate from high school.
- 61% of Virginia’s incoming 4th graders score below proficient reading levels.
- Holding back a child in kindergarten adds nearly $11,000 to the public cost of that child’s education.
- Children who repeat grades K-3 cost our taxpayers nearly $80m annually.
- For every $1 we invest in school-age children, only 23 cents is spent on preschool-aged children, birth to age 5.
For more information, visit the E3 website.
Virginia Public Radio 