Class sizes should shrink for Denver kindergartners, and there should be more options in where 3- and 4-year-olds can attend school, according to recommendations released Tuesday by an early-childhood education commission.
The Denver Public Schools Task Force on School Readiness, composed of community members and pre-school experts, said all Denver kindergarten classes should have fewer than 25 students, and in the city’s poorest schools, those classes should have 22 students or fewer.
“I really do believe if we want to see higher graduation rates, that this is a wonderful place to begin,” said Bruce Hoyt, a school-board member and leader of the commission. “There is a huge achievement gap that exists before kids even get to kindergarten.”
Among the other recommendations made Tuesday:
Guarantee language and literacy skills for all children.
Reach out to parents of toddlers and educate them about getting ready for school.
The commission will put together a plan on how to implement these recommendations by January. Hoyt said it could take until 2009 before that is accomplished.
The big question will be cost. Hoyt envisions using a mix of private and public money.
Staff writer Allison Sherry can be reached at 303-820-1377 or asherry@denverpost.com.
