On September 13, the Association for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) released its annual Newark Kids Count Report, a compilation of data on the health and well-being of children in New Jersey's largest city. The overall findings show Newark children doing better, but lagging behind children in other cities.

A bright spot in the report is the academic performance of Newark public school children.  Test scores have increased substantially over the past several years in the fourth, eighth and 11th grades.  The report identified an 18 percent increase in the number of fourth-graders who passed language arts exams and a 100 percent increase in those who passed math.

As one of New Jersey's 31 urban "Abbott" school districts, Newark is implementing high quality preschool programs, along with intensive early literacy and other educational reforms under the landmark Abbott v. Burke education equity rulings.

Cecilia Zalkind, executive director of ACNJ, attributes the boost in academic achievement to an increase in the number of Newark children who attend Abbott preschool programs. 

The report documents a 52 percent increase in the number of Newark three- and four-year olds attending preschool programs, some in public schools and many others in community-based programs, including Head Start. The Abbott preschool program was launched in Newark in 1999, so fourth-grade students in 2005 were part of the first group of youngsters having the opportunity to attend preschool starting at age 3.

"The preschool program is an investment that pays off. Preschool does make a difference," Zalkind said.

Prepared: September 25, 2006

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