Message from the Chair

Sixty-seven percent of Maryland's kindergartners entered school this year with the skills, knowledge, and abilities to be successful.  This means that nearly 18,000 kindergarten children are not ready for school and will need considerable help in order to succeed.  These children will most likely continue to struggle throughtout their school years.  This not only impacts the child, but the classroom, the school, and ultimately, the economic future of Maryland.  We can not allow any child to be left behind.

Much can be done to ensure that all of Maryland's children succeed. There is clear, convincing evidence that quality, early learning experiences improve the educational achievements of young children. It lays the foundation for children's success in school and in life.

M&T Bank is committed to this effort and is proud to chair Ready At Five, an organization that is clearly doing its part to ensure that all children enter school ready to succeed.

Parents, early care and education professionals, educators, health providers, employers, policy makers, and community leaders all play a unique role in helping children to be ready to succeed in school. This web site will help you meet this challenge, and I urge you to use everything it has to offer to help achieve school readiness for all Maryland's young children.

J. Michael Riley
Vice President
Community Relations
M&T Bank