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Do you have a 3 or 4-year old? Let’s get ready for the big leap to kindergarten.
Countdown to Kindergarten is fun. It’s free. And it’s the perfect way to make sure your child starts school with confidence! |
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KINDERGARTEN READINESS
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Every year, kids entering kindergarten in Cocke County take a short screening called the Brigance to see how ready they are for school. For the past six years, about half of all kids have come in ready to go and that number has stayed pretty consistent.
One thing really stands out: children who didn't have any preschool or early learning program (ECE) before kindergarten are about half as likely to be ready on day one. That's a big deal, and it's exactly why early childhood programs like C5's Countdown to Kindergarten matter so much. Keep in mind, each year is a brand new group of kids, so small changes from year to year don't always mean things are getting better or worse — it's the long-term trends that tell the real story. |
Early Grade Success
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Every year, third graders in Cocke County take the TNReady ELA test, which measures how well kids can read and understand what they've read. This is a big milestone. Research shows that kids who are reading well by third grade are much more likely to succeed in school down the road.
The good news? Scores have been climbing! In 2024-25, 41.8% of all Cocke County third graders scored proficient, the highest we've seen in several years. Kids who are considered economically disadvantaged (ED) also saw a big jump this year, rising to 33.1% after a tough stretch. The steady climb since the disruption from COVID-19 is something to celebrate. As with any year-to-year data, small changes can reflect a lot of different factors, but the upward trend over time is an encouraging sign that early literacy efforts are making a difference. |
CAREER & College READINESS
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In Tennessee, one way we measure how prepared high school seniors are for life after graduation is through the Ready Graduate rate. A student earns this designation by meeting certain milestones, like scoring well on the ACT, earning college credits, or completing a career and technical education pathway.
Just like with third grade literacy, the trend here is encouraging! In 2024-25, 41.8% of Cocke County graduates met the Ready Graduate standard, the highest rate we've seen in several years. Economically disadvantaged (ED) students also saw a strong jump this year, reaching 33.1%. Scores dipped in 2020-21, again reflecting the real impact COVID-19 had on students during those critical years. The climb back up since then shows real resilience in our community. As always, year-to-year numbers can shift for many reasons, so we look at the long-term trend to get the full picture. |
Working alongside families, schools, and communities to support children across Cocke County.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE JOURNEY!
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE JOURNEY!
school readiness * Early Grade Success * Ready Graduate * healthy communities * donate now
C5 operates all programs and activities in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. No person shall be excluded
from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin.
from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin.
