Janet Lopez, Senior Policy AnalystPreschool CaliforniaOctober 10, 2011

Transitional Kindergarten

Agenda

• Overview of SB 1381• What Is transitional kindergarten?• Transitional kindergarten implementation– Becoming a TK expert– Parent and Community Engagement Strategies– Outreach Tools

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Overview of SB 1381

• Created SB 1381 (Simitian, Chapter 705, Statutes of 2010) - Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2010–What did SB 1381 do? • Transitional Kindergarten (TK) to better prepare

California’s children for success in kindergarten and beyond.• Changed kindergarten entry date from Dec. 2 to Sept. 1.

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Overview of SB 1381 (cont.)

• Kindergarten entry date change phased in over three years– 2012-13: date moved back to Nov. 1 – 2013-14: date moved back to Oct. 1 – 2014-15: date moved back to Sept. 1

• Fully implemented by 2015

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What is Transitional Kindergarten? (cont.)

What is Transitional Kindergarten?

• Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is the first year of a two year kindergarten experience for students born between Sept. 1 and Dec. 2

• When fully implemented, 120,000 more children will receive an additional year of preparation to boost K-12 success

• Includes 49,000 English Language Learners• 74,000 children in Title I schools

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What is Transitional Kindergarten? (cont.)

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What is Transitional Kindergarten? (cont.)

• Enrollment is voluntary; child born between Sep. 1 and Dec. 2 can be admitted to kindergarten on case-by case basis

• Requires district to offer TK to any age-eligible child

• Redirects existing Average Daily Attendance (ADA) funding for a maximum of two years. – Available to children with fall birthdays who would

have been entering kindergarten to TKPresented by Preschool California

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What is Transitional Kindergarten? (cont.)

• TK classes must be taught by credentialed K-12 teachers

• Curriculum must be age and developmentally appropriate and aligned with kindergarten standards

• Offered on school sites• School day and school year offered must align

with kindergarten.

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What is Transitional Kindergarten? (cont.)

• English Learners (Dual Language Learners) must be provided with the same learning and support activities provided through kindergarten.– Appropriate assessments given at entry to the

program.– Whenever possible and available, home language

support should also be provided.– Interpreters should be available for parents who

cannot communicate in English.

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Benefits

• Research shows that beginning kindergarten at an older age:• Improves social, emotional, academic

development• Boosts test scores• Increases likelihood of attending college and

earning higher wages

• TK will save state money from reduced rates of grade retention and special education placement

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Transitional Kindergarten Implementation

• Becoming a TK expert• Parent Outreach Tools

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Becoming a TK Expert

• TK monthly calls– Occurs third Tuesday of every Month– Includes presentations on implementation,

curriculum and assessment efforts models California

– Contact Kendall Parker at Preschool California to RSVP (kparker@preschoolcalifornia.org)

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Becoming a TK Expert

• Resources are available at: www.tkcalifornia.org

• Include information on the following topics:– Standards, Curriculum & Instruction– Assessment & Evaluation– Articulation & Alignment– Startup & Administration– Parent Outreach Materials

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Parent Outreach Tools

• Preschool California has developed a Parent Toolkit.

• Sample materials, available in English and Spanish, include:– Parent Recruitment Letter

• Outlines the benefits of the TK program.

– Customizable Transitional Kindergarten Brochure• The content was developed based on parent input and explains the

Kindergarten Readiness Act.

– Frequently Asked Questions• General questions on TK

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Thank you!

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Janet Lopez, Senior Policy Analystjlopez@preschoolcalifornia.org