"The students entering kindergarten from the Core Knowledge preschool are standing out in our kindergarten classrooms. Their interest in reading is the most noticeable characteristic. They are reading or ready to read when they enter kindergarten and are "the readers". Their math skills and conceptual understanding are above the rest. They progress through the kindergarten curriculum at an average or above average rate. Our kindergarten teachers are excited to get students from the Core Knowledge preschool."

—Monica Gray, Administrator, Clarendon Public Schools, Clarendon, AR

We prefer the Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence simply because it works. In our five years of existence, the Core Knowledge program has proven to be more efficient and much easier to administer. The results are apparent when our young people test for kindergarten.

Our teaching is much better. The transition from the three year-old class to the four year-old class is much smoother. Our three year-olds are able to pick up the basic skills and major framework at an early stage in their academic training. Therefore, when they move up to the four year-old class, they are much better prepared.

The teacher training allows our instructors to stay abreast of the most recent teaching methods and skills. It gives them an opportunity to carefully construct their lesson plans and discuss situations and methods with other teachers within the program.

A language and content-rich curriculum gives our students an opportunity to be exposed to those areas that will be most important to them once they reach the kindergarten/elementary school level. It invites, as well as encourages, students to increase their learning skills.

There is a distinct, positive difference in how our students rate now, as compared to the years before we became involved with the Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence. We definitely see a difference with Core Knowledge.

—Shay Gillespie, Owner/Operator, Head of the Class Learning Center, Monticello, AR

The Core Knowledge Preschool "Getting Started" training delivers up-to-date information and is administered by trained professionals. Administrators, teachers, and teacher assistants benefit greatly from the extensive instruction and hands-on approach offered during the Core Knowledge Professional Development Preschool training. It is a must for any administrator wanting to implement the Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence in their school.

—Tonya Plauché, Administrator, 
The Early Childhood and Development Center of Avoyelles, Cottonport, LA

Our school had an onsite "Getting Started" training session two years ago. In our second year of implementing the Preschool Sequence, we are really starting to see the significant impact this curriculum is having in our program. The teachers are thankful to finally have a strong developmental curriculum that involves all areas of the child's learning process. The Preschool Sequence has provided quality and consistency in design and instruction to our three-five year-old classes. Our parents are delighted to see all the Core Knowledge skills posted outside the door each week. We continue to receive many interested parents from referrals of our currently enrolled families. One of the first things parents visiting our program tell me is how many good comments they've heard about our curriculum and teaching practices in our preschool. We love telling them we use a national developmental curriculum that specializes in developmental skills for the preschool age child. This always gets a "wow!" from visiting parents. There is no doubt that the implementation of the Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence in our program has significantly increased our enrollment over the past two years. 

Another glowing component of the Sequence lies in the Social Skills section and implementation of the "Stop and Think" practice for managing behavior through making appropriate choices. This took off like nothing I've ever implemented before, and our entire staff raves over the success they have in using "Stop and Think" with the children. Our parents now use this practice at home, and we are so proud of the impact it has had on our children, parents, and staff. Such a simple technique to incorporate, but is packed with a powerful punch for teaching children to make good choices in their lives! 

In closing, I'd like to comment to any school considering the Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence for their program that if they want to significantly increase the school's enrollment, provide a quality developmental curriculum for their staff, and ensure that every child is getting the very best early childhood education experience possible, they need to implement the Preschool Sequence in their program. Give it two years, and see if you, too, don't find this to be the best decision your program ever made!

Regards, 
Beth McCauley, Director, Good Shepherd Lutheran Preschool, Raleigh, NC