PHOENIX (Feb. 4, 2015)—Third graders in Arizona face repeating their grade if they don’t meet testing standards for the Arizona statute, Move on When Reading. Currently, it is estimated that 22,000 third-grade students are potentially at risk for not being at grade level. Studies show early education sets Arizona students up for elementary school success. Catholic Charities Westside Head Start provides early education to infants thru 5 year olds, increasing children’s success in grade school and literacy.
Studies prove children entering kindergarten without the skills they need to succeed in school rarely meet the critical milestone of reading proficiently by third grade. Catholic Charities Westside Head Start provides comprehensive early childhood education. The program utilizes a holistic approach by working with the student’s whole family. Programs emphasize pre-reading, language, math, cognitive skills, health, and social and emotional competence to prepare disadvantaged children for school and to maximize their potential for a bright future.
Early Head Start provides low-income parents of infants and toddlers with programs that emphasize parenting skills and early childhood development, while Head Start offers a comprehensive pre-school enrichment for children of low-income families, ages 3 to 5.
Programs are free in hopes that no child is left behind. On average, children from low-income families show less developed skills in the areas necessary for success in kindergarten. Head start programs are designed to educate parents about taking an active role in their child’s learning to help close the achievement gap. Qualified, trained staff works with parents and families in their homes and in more than 50 classrooms throughout western Maricopa County.
Founded in 1933, Catholic Charities provides care for the vulnerable of all faiths in Phoenix and northern Arizona through programs in foster care, early start education, housing, veteran services, refugee relocation and poverty reduction. Learn more by visiting www.catholiccharitiesaz.org. Social connections include www.facebook.com/CatholicCharitiesAZ and twitter.com/CCArizona.
