A special Kindergarten Gala will be held to celebrate the successes of the MCPS Comprehensive Kindergarten Initiative and recognize the efforts of students, Kindergarten teachers, and other staff who work with young children. The theme of the gala is “Because of You - Kindergarten Success.”

The gala will take place on Tuesday, June 18, from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Carver Educational Services Center.

The event also will highlight the Leadership for Learning Award presented to the Kindergarten Initiative earlier this year by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA). The national award recognizes the role of the Kindergarten Initiative in increasing student achievement and is one of only three such awards presented annually by the AASA.

The design of the Kindergarten Initiative includes a more rigorous curriculum, intensive training for teachers, expanded instructional time, ongoing assessment of student progress, and increased parent involvement. The program also includes expansion of full-day kindergarten and reduced class size in schools with high rates of students living in poverty and/or learning English.

First-year findings from a reading skills study showed considerable progress in student achievement, particularly among those students who are English language learners or in low-income families.