The Mayor’s Commission for Children is again working with Missouri State University to conduct the Kindergarten Readiness Study.  All Springfield kindergarten classes are participating in this assessment, which is administered to a random selection of students. This marks the fifth year that the Mayor’s Commission for Children has initiated this study to assess the kindergarten readiness of children entering Springfield Public Schools. The results of the study will be publicly available in the spring of 2019.

Data collected from the Kindergarten Readiness Study has been a driving force to support pre-K education at Springfield Public Schools. We are grateful to the Musgrave Foundation, Springfield Public Schools, Community Foundation of the Ozarks and the City of Springfield for funding for this important study.

Other areas of focus for the commission include finding sustainable funding for early childhood programs, reducing child abuse in our community and prevention and treatment of mental health issues and adverse childhood experiences (ACE).

The commission has been a driving force in elevating the awareness of the needs of children within our community. This advocacy has taken many forms; including youth safety, education and wellness and has marshaled the efforts of many organizations to elevate our community to one of open and thoughtful consideration of the needs of our next generation.

“I can’t emphasize enough the importance of continuing this pursuit and finding new methods of collaboration to care for the most fragile of our youth. I am pleased to be the liaison for the mayor and City Council to the Mayor’s Commission for Children as we move forward in the coming year,” said Councilwoman Jan Fisk, who serves on the commission’s advisory board.

About the Mayor’s Commission for Children

The Mayor’s Commission for Children is an advisory group to the mayor and City Council and was formed in 2004 to help guide the community in advocating for children. Its mission is to ensure every child matters by acting as a catalyst to educate and mobilize our community concerning the health and well-being of our youth. The vision is to be the voice for children in our community.

Members of the nine-member commission are appointed by the mayor for three-year terms and must reside within the city limits of Springfield. The commission created an advisory council earlier this year that includes representation from Springfield Public Schools board and City Council.

Brigitte Marrs is the executive director of the Mayor’s Commission for Children. Reach her at bmarrs@springfieldmo.gov.