Every incoming kindergartener in Boone County will sit for a 10-to-15-minute screening within the first weeks of school that places them in one of three readiness categories. For families in Florence, Union, Burlington, and Hebron, the results shape what support a child receives from day one.
Kentucky uses the BRIGANCE Early Childhood Screen III, a statewide tool in place since 2013, to assess entering kindergarteners in three areas: academic and cognitive development, language development, and physical development. Parents also complete a separate assessment of their child's social and emotional skills and self-help abilities, such as dressing themselves.
Under state guidelines, the screening window runs from 15 days before the first day of instruction through 30 days after. Boone County Schools has not confirmed its exact 2026-2027 start date.
Three result categories
Children are placed into one of three categories: "ready," "ready with enrichments" (exceeding baseline readiness), or "ready with interventions" (which often triggers additional testing and support).
Fewer than half of Kentucky kindergarteners have scored as ready statewide in recent years, according to the Governor's Office of Early Childhood.
What 'ready with interventions' means for families
A "ready with interventions" score prompts a one-on-one conversation between the school and the child's family, according to Dr. Jenny Watson, vice president of early learning and family power at EducateNKY. Interventions can include additional diagnostic testing and decisions about whether to bring in special education services.
In Kentucky, the principal decides whether a kindergarten-aged child stays in kindergarten for the full day or attends preschool for certain subjects like math. Watson said those conversations are a team effort.
Don't over-interpret a single score
Dr. Jaesook Gilbert, a professor of early childhood education at Northern Kentucky University, cautioned parents against reading too much into one screening. The assessment captures only a moment in time, she said, and readiness reflects the support systems available to a child from birth to age 5, not the child's innate ability.
Watson echoed that message. She said early support matters but added that Kentucky's schools are equipped to close gaps once children arrive full time.
Local resources and next steps
Boone County Schools operates Family Resource Youth Service Centers at its schools, which connect families with support services including referrals for additional testing and early intervention programs. Families seeking enrollment information or screening details can contact their neighborhood school directly.
The Boone County Board of Education's next regular meeting has not been publicly posted for the July-August period. Parents with questions about the screening timeline can also check the district's website or call the central office.
