# Map shows states where most US kids fail kindergarten tests

> New federal report reveals 5 states where over half of kindergarten children miss readiness benchmarks.
- Title: Map shows states where most US kids fail kindergarten tests
- Summary: New federal report reveals 5 states where over half of kindergarten children miss readiness benchmarks.
- Keywords: kindergarten readiness, federal report, kindergarten benchmark, state assessments, kindergarten tests, children performance, kindergarten readiness benchmark, Newsweek
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/map-shows-states-where-most-us-kids-fail-basic-kindergarten-tests-12713121
- Published: 2026-11-13T19:21:04+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: kindergarten readiness, federal report, kindergarten benchmark, state assessments, kindergarten tests, children performance, kindergarten readiness benchmark
## Federal report finds kindergarten readiness gaps
More than half of children in Ohio, Florida, Maryland and Kentucky did not meet kindergarten readiness benchmarks.
## GAO assesses five states' kindergarten readiness
Government Accountability Office assessed kindergarten readiness in Ohio, Florida, Maryland, Kentucky and Connecticut.
## Kindergarten readiness benchmark definition
Kindergarten readiness refers to skills and abilities needed for school success including social development, language, physical well-being and motor skills.
## Ohio, Florida and Kentucky results
63 percent of Ohio children, 57 percent of Florida children and 54 percent of Kentucky children missed kindergarten readiness benchmarks.
## Maryland readiness results
56 percent of Maryland children missed kindergarten readiness benchmarks in 2023-2024 assessments.
## Connecticut readiness results
Fewer than half of Connecticut children met readiness benchmarks in four of six skill areas.
## Gender differences in readiness
Girls outperformed boys across all five states in kindergarten readiness assessments.
## Key takeaway

In Ohio, Florida, Maryland and Kentucky, more than half of children failed kindergarten readiness benchmarks in 2024-2025 assessments.