Camden launches pilot program to help reimagine preschool education

Students learning in preschool classrom
Photo credit Carlos alberto Ramirez Gaviria/Getty Images

CAMDEN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — Camden has a new program to help better prepare children for kindergarten.

Sometimes, students with vision or hearing problems suffer from delayed diagnosis. One of the priorities of this pilot program is to evaluate all students and ensure early intervention occurs when needed.

The program will also look into extending the school day and year for 3 and 4-year-olds.

Camden Mayor Vic Carstarphen says that would help working parents who may not be able to leave work early for school pickup.

“I know parents where jobs wouldn’t allow that, and it kind of puts them in a tight spot, especially if you’re a single parent. Longer hours — it’s going to help everyone overall, expanding the knowledge for our kids.”

The Center for Family Services will run the program. Merilee Rutolo, president of the nonprofit, says identifying speech, vision or hearing problems earlier will help achieve better outcomes.

“So that they are not much more severe by the time they reach first grade, second grade, third grade. So if we can address them earlier, when kids are developing their speech and developing their learning, we’ve really built a stronger foundation,” Rutolo said.

The strategies will be tested on 120 students to start.

Gov. Phil Murphy says this is an important initiative in his goal of offering full-day preschool for every district in the state.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Carlos alberto Ramirez Gaviria/Getty Images