Skip to content

In this 2011 report to the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Kindergarten Readiness Assessment Stakeholder Committee details the context for how and why the Illinois Kindergarten Individual Development Survey (KIDS) was developed, as well as the assessment’s potential benefits and the necessary conditions, priorities, and next steps to successfully undertake KIDS in Illinois.

Key Findings

  • A major goal of developing KIDS was to promote the success of every child by providing key adults — family members and teachers alike — with a clear picture of a child’s developing strengths across multiple domains, including cognitive skills, language, social-emotional skills, approaches to learning, and physical health.
  • Key benefits of implementing KIDS includes promoting alignment, learning expectations and smooth transitions from a variety of early childhood program environments to kindergarten, as well as from kindergarten to early elementary grades.
  • The Illinois Kindergarten Readiness Assessment Stakeholder Committee recommended that ISBE conduct an initial, voluntary pilot of KIDS in the 2012-2013 school year, with a demographically and geographically representative sample of school districts.

Publications & Resources

A New Beginning: The Illinois Kindergarten Development Survey

Link

This report from the Illinois Kindergarten Readiness Assessment Stakeholder Committee details the goals and context for the development of the Illinois Kindergarten Individual Development Survey (KIDS) as well as its potential benefits and implementation steps.

Download A New Beginning: The Illinois Kindergarten Development Survey

Policy Team & Collaborators

Let's talk icon

Stay Connected

Stay up to date on early childhood policy issues and how you can take action to ensure more children have access to quality early learning and care in Illinois.

Sign Up

Contact Us

For questions or more information contact, Anne Gunderson, policy specialist, Illinois policy.

Email Our Team

Resources for professionals icon

Resources for Professionals

From interactive courses to engaging events, we support educators in building powerful practices that transform teaching and learning.

Learn More

We have heard both enthusiasm for and skepticism about the use of technology in the early childhood field. One area of discussion is the use of technology to reach and support parents and other caregivers of children. Because of technology’s potential to engage parents and the many questions surrounding its efficacy, The Early Learning Lab decided to focus on this issue. After a comprehensive information gathering and interviewing, we’re excited to release the report NextGen Technology: Insights and Recommendations to Support the Parents of Children Ages 0–3 with our insights and recommended action steps.

Publications & Resources

Note: Reports were published prior to the Start Early and The Early Learning Lab merger.

Full Report: NextGen Technology

Link

This report shares insights and recommendations to help increase the effectiveness of technology in supporting parents of children from birth to age 3.

Download Full Report: NextGen Technology

Executive Summary: NextGen Technology

Link

This summary presents key insights and recommendations to help improve parent-facing technology.

Download Executive Summary: NextGen Technology

Take a closer look icon

Case Studies & Reports

The Early Learning Lab shares insights, tools and innovation processes developed through its solutions with the broader early childhood field.

Learn More

Professional development icon

The Early Learning Lab

An innovation lab that uses human-centered design + systems thinking + technology to transform how we meet the needs of young children and families.

Learn More

What we do icon

Services & Solutions

The Early Learning Lab develops innovative technology solutions designed to empower parents, caregivers and teachers.

Learn More

Stay Connected

Sign up to receive news, helpful tools and learn about how you can help our youngest learners.

Sign Up

Little girl with blue headband