Early Childhood Standards of Quality for ... - State of Michigan

Early Learning Expectations forThree- and Four-Year-Old ChildrenI n t r o d u c t i o nIn the 1992 document, Early Childhood Standards of Quality forPrekindergarten through Second Grade, Michigan attempted to definewhat young children ages four to eight might reasonably be expected toknow and be able to do and what they should be learning in high qualityprograms and settings. In 1992, student expectations were set mostly forthe end of elementary school, the end of middle school, and the end ofhigh school, so it seemed important to indicate what children should belearning in the preschool and primary years. The developers wanted tomake sure that children would have the opportunity to learn content andacquire appropriate skills within a wide developmental period. Now thatchildren’s achievement is measured yearly beginning in third grade, it hasbecome necessary to define the expectations for student achievement onan annual basis beginning in kindergarten, and by extension, to isolatethe learning and development expectations for children before they enterformal schooling. These expectations are meant to emphasize significantcontent appropriate for preschoolers at this very special time in their lives,to protect them from an underestimation of their potential and from thepressure of academic work meant for older children.Early Childhood Standards of Quality for Prekindergarten 55