The statistics are staggering. Nearly half of all Escambia County children aren’t fully ready for kindergarten, and many can’t even identify four letters of the alphabet.

If our children enter school behind, it is very difficult for them to catch up. In fact, 74% of high school graduates entering PJC have to take remedial reading and math.

Leadership Pensacola would like to change this by promoting awareness about the problem and providing parents with valuable support.

The Leadership Pensacola Class of 2010 is launching a new program, “I’m Ready,” which will help prepare our children for kindergarten.

By connecting parents with local Voluntary Prekindergarten programs (VPK) and creating opportunities for them to help prepare their children for school, we will ensure that our little ones start kindergarten ready to read and succeed.

One way that Leadership Pensacola will be engaging parents and families is by hosting events at four elementary schools during the spring of 2010. These events will give parents information and resources so that on the first day of school all of our children will be able to proudly announce, “I’M READY!”

Click here for more info about VPK

22% of children in Escambia County struggle to identify four letters of the alphabet

·         There are 8 Elementary Schools in Escambia County with over 95% poverty

·         85% of who you are -your intellect, personality, and social skills - is developed by age 5.

·         In Florida, only 34% of 4th graders are reading on grade level.

Leadership Pensacola is a program of the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. Each class is comprised of 50 diverse members from the business, government, education, health, civic and media communities.  Each year, the Leadership Pensacola class chooses a project that benefits the community.  The Leap Class of 2010 Class of 2010 Project is “I’m Ready”.