With only about half of Kentucky students ready to start school, Russellville Independent Schools is pouring more resources into early childhood education by expanding its preschool program.

“The kids are coming to us pretty far behind overall and that is a problem across the state,” said Michele McCloughan, who oversees instruction for the district’s preschool program.

Superintendent Bart Flener said in an email that the district plans to expand from about 70 preschool students to 120 over the next few years. It’s part of a broader effort to boost the district’s enrollment in each grade, he added.

Additionally, the Russellville Preschool Academy will offer full-day programming up to five days a week instead of half-day programs four days each week, Flener said.

The additional time will benefit preschool students, said Assistant Superintendent Steven Moats. He noted that research shows students are more likely to be ready for kindergarten if they spend more than 16 hours a week in preschool.

Readiness is a critical need for students across Kentucky.

State data from the 2017-18 school year showed that only slightly more than half – 51.4 percent – of Kentucky students entering kindergarten were deemed ready.

A similar trend has been seen at the local level.

An 18-month research project conducted by the United Way of Southern Kentucky found that nearly 50 percent of local children in southern Kentucky are entering kindergarten unprepared.

When it comes to kindergarten readiness, McCloughan said teachers look for students who can recognize the alphabet, hold a book and understand that reading goes from left to right, along with other basic skills.

“Kids aren’t learning these things that are important,” she said, putting the blame on the intrusion of smartphone screens into valuable learning time.

Russellville educators hope to change that by giving students more time to practice reading and learn vocabulary with a full-day program five days a week.

McCloughan said preschool students will also have the opportunity to explore science through hands-on activities.

As the program receives more interest from the community, Moats said the district wants to improve the student experience.

“We really are trying to create a new experience for our community as it relates to preschool,” he said.