In 2016, education stakeholders identified another issue that young children in Oceana County are facing which not only impacts their education preparedness, but also their future educational & career potential. When children enter kindergarten, significant differences in literacy are already evident when comparing data between children of low, middle and upper income parent(s).  On average children from low income families show far less developed skills in key areas necessary for success in kindergarten and beyond.  In Oceana Country 21.5% of children ages 0-17 live in poverty and 74.8% of the student population is eligible for free/reduced price school lunches