Not all fun and games: Issues surrounding preschool

Tammy Tickfer, principal at Lafayette Park Elementary School, said she and her teachers see a noticeable difference when children have been to some form of early childhood education, and especially one focused on preparing students for school.

Based on numbers collected by the United Way of Howard County, only 45 percent of students in the county are entering kindergarten ready to learn - defined as being prepared socially, emotionally and academically for a kindergarten curriculum.