Florida’s 2025-2026 Kindergarten Readiness Report
New Research: More Than Half of Florida’s Kindergartners Start School Already Behind
Florida’s economic future depends on the strength of its talent pipeline, and that pipeline begins long before a child enters a kindergarten classroom.
The Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida Business Alliance for Early Learning’s new 2025-2026 Kindergarten Readiness Report shows that just 44% of Florida children entered kindergarten ready to learn in fall 2025, meaning more than half of Florida’s youngest learners are starting school already behind.
Key findings in the Florida Chamber Business Alliance for Early Learning’s 2025-2026 Kindergarten Readiness Report:
- In Florida, only 44% of children entered kindergarten ready in fall 2025
- Children who complete Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) are significantly more likely to be ready for kindergarten
- Regions like Pinellas County demonstrate that progress is possible with coordinated effort and cross-sector leadership focused on aligned outcomes
Join These Leading Businesses and Organizations Helping Make Florida #1 in Early Learning & Literacy Outcomes
