Programs

Smart Beginnings Fast Facts

Fast Facts

• If children get to school ready to learn they are more likely to read at grade level by 3rd grade.
• If children read at grade level by 3rd grade they are more likely to graduate from high school.
• If children graduate from high school, they are more likely to go on to higher education and/or enter the job market as a tax paying citizen.
• Employable, taxpaying citizens are critical to a vital economy.
• One out of five children enter kindergarten without the basic skills needed to succeed in school.
• 62% of parents of preschool-age children work outside the home, making quality child care essential.
• 2,967 of the Commonwealth’s children under the age of 4 are considered at-risk. (23% of all 4 year olds in 2003-2004)
• $7-9 return on investment is anticipated for every $1 spent on early care and education.
• In Virginia, for every $1 invested in a school-aged child…58.6 cents is invested in a college-aged youth (19-23), but only 9.6 cents is invested in a pre-school aged child (3-5), and only 4.3 cents is invested in an infant or toddler (birth to 2).
• 11,692 Virginia children in grades K-3 were not promoted in the 2002-2003 school year (which accumulates to $95.7 million spent for those children to repeat that grade).