Knowledge and skills of young children

Question:
Do you have information on the knowledge and skills of young children?

Response:

Differences among demographic groups in the acquisition of cognitive skills have been demonstrated at relatively early ages in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 2010–11 (ECLS-K:2011). Possible scores for the mathematics assessment range from 0 to 159, and possible scores for the reading assessment range from 0 to 167.

Children who enrolled in kindergarten for the first time in 2010–11 showed similar patterns of score differences across racial/ethnic and socioeconomic status (SES) groups for both mathematics and reading. In fall 2010, average mathematics scores were higher for first-time kindergartners from high-SES families (43) than for those from low-SES families (29). White (39) and Asian (41) first-time kindergartners had higher mathematics scores than their Black (32), Hispanic (31), and American Indian/Alaska Native (33) peers. Similarly, average early reading scores in fall 2010 were higher for White (56) and Asian (59) first-time kindergartners than for their Black (53), Hispanic (51), and American Indian/Alaska Native (50) peers. High-SES children (61) had higher early reading scores than low-SES children (49).

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2021). Digest of Education Statistics, 2019 (NCES 2021-009), Chapter 2.

Related Tables and Figures:  (Listed by Release Date)

• 2021, Digest of Education Statistics 2019, Table 220.10. Percentage of children demonstrating specific cognitive and motor skills at about 9 months of age, by child's age and selected characteristics: 2001–02
  
• 2021, Digest of Education Statistics 2019, Table 220.20. Percentage of children demonstrating specific cognitive skills, motor skills, and secure emotional attachment to parents at about 2 years of age, by selected characteristics: 2003–04
  
• 2021, Digest of Education Statistics 2019, Table 220.30. Children's reading, language, mathematics, color knowledge, and fine motor skills at about 4 years of age, by child's age and selected characteristics: 2005–06
  
• 2021, Digest of Education Statistics 2019, Table 220.40. Fall 2010 first-time kindergartners' reading scale scores and standard deviations through spring of fifth grade, by selected child, family, and school characteristics during the kindergarten year: Fall 2010 and spring 2011 through spring 2016
  
• 2021, Digest of Education Statistics 2019, Table 220.41. Fall 2010 first-time kindergartners' mathematics scale scores and standard deviations through spring of fifth grade, by selected child, family, and school characteristics during the kindergarten year: Fall 2010 and spring 2011 through spring 2016
  
• 2021, Digest of Education Statistics 2019, Table 220.42. Fall 2010 first-time kindergartners' science scale scores and standard deviations through spring of fifth grade, by selected child, family, and school characteristics during the kindergarten year: Fall 2010 and spring 2011 through spring 2016
  

Other Resources:  (Listed by Release Date)

• 2021, Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (ECLS): This survey includes four longitudinal studies that examine child development, school readiness, and early school experiences.
  
• 2021, International Early Learning Study (IELS): This survey is an international play-based assessment of five-year-olds’ knowledge and skills in four key areas: emergent literacy, emergent numeracy, self-regulation, and social emotional skills.
  
• 2021, National Household Education Surveys Program (NHES): This site provides access to publications and data on learning at all ages, from early childhood to school age through adulthood.