In conclusion
Transitional kindergarten, which bridges the gap between preschool and kindergarten, is anticipated to enroll at least 200,000 California students this autumn.
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In California, all 4-year-olds are now eligible for transitional kindergarten, so get out your crayons and finger paint.
The largest and fastest-growing early education program in the nation is currently in California, fifteen years after a few school districts started the first TK classrooms. This fall, at least 200,000 children will attend TK, which offers age-appropriate curricula, low teacher-to-student ratios, and lots of opportunities for music, painting, and circle time.
Carolyne Crolotte, policy director for the advocacy group Early Edge California, stated that this is truly cause for celebration. There is simply longer any doubt as to who is and is not eligible. Everyone is qualified.
As a transitional program between preschool and kindergarten, TK helps 4-year-olds develop their social skills and self-confidence while preparing them for the routine and demands of elementary school. Children learn how to write their names, form friendships, and perform simple math in TK. They are mostly expected to develop a passion for learning.
Holding frogs and counting marshmallows
Last week, a dozen eager 4-year-olds swarmed around their teacher, Elizabeth Swanson, at Silverwood Elementary in Concord, as she carefully held out a tree frog for them to examine.
The placid, turquoise amphibian was given the opportunity to be held by several.
What is the frog’s sensation? Regarding the frog, what do you wonder? Swanson, who was just selected Teacher of the Year by Mt. Diablo Unified, said. What is his hand technique? How are your hands used?
However, that afternoon, the tree frog—one of several creatures in her classroom—was not the most well-liked attraction. The home living station, a section of the classroom devoted to dollhouses, costumes, a miniature kitchen, and everything else a creative child might require to play house, deserved that distinction.
Inspired by the opening of a Dutch Bros. next to the school, a group of industrious students used the home living station to open their own coffee shop last year. They brewed coffee, ordered lattes, and took payments. By asking students to count marshmallows and determine how many should be added to each cup of hot chocolate, Swanson transformed it into a math lesson.
According to Swanson, the kids learnt how to share and take turns by having one kid serve as the barista and another as the customer. They were practicing social language and communication a great deal. Additionally, everything was incorporated into the game.
Importance of fun
That’s exactly what a TK classroom should look like, according to Judy Krause, executive director of early childhood programs at Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena. Depending on the interests of the students, the emphasis should be on experimentation and practical exercises. According to her, TK is not a kindergarten substitute because 4-year-olds have different developmental requirements. “Having fun is the main one,” she remarked.
According to her, children would automatically learn if they are having fun. They will lose interest and lose out on important abilities they will need for kindergarten and beyond if they are bored or feel too much pressure.
“This opportunity is really significant for all 4-year-olds,” Krause stated. However, we must ensure that we are doing it correctly.
15-year rollout of TK
In 2010, California launched TK, and ten years later, it started to spread to every district. With 91% of districts now offering the program and all 4-year-olds now eligible, this year marks the culmination of that endeavor. Only those districts that receive greater revenue from local property taxes and do not receive funds from the state’s funding formula are exempt.
TK is elective, much like kindergarten. However, families have shown a great deal of interest in numerous districts, including Mt. Diablo Unified. About 70% of 4-year-olds are expected to enroll in TK this fall, according to a recent analysis from the Public Policy Institute of California, however some districts have waiting lists. Although individuals who are not enrolled may be enrolled in other programs, Black, Latino, and Native American students have so far been marginally underrepresented. That data is not monitored by the state.
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TK is an excellent idea, according to almost everyone. According to research, children who have participated in TK typically perform better in reading and math, and those with problems can be detected early and provided treatment.
Families may benefit financially from TK, which is free. Preschool and child care expenses are among the highest in the nation due to California’s high cost of living; families may have to spend up to $20,000 more per year than the cost of in-state tuition at the University of California.
Governor Gavin Newsom has supported TK for a long time, allocating almost $2.7 billion during the years when the state’s budget was in surplus. The funds will assist school districts in paying instructors, maintaining small class sizes, and offering additional services to new students. The state’s Local Control Funding Formula will provide ongoing funding.
In a 2023 video, Newsom stated that California is firmly committed to providing free transitional kindergarten to all 4-year-olds. When we’re done, California will have the biggest free preschool program in the nation, allowing all 4-year-olds to get off to a good start in school and preparing them for success in the future.
Teacher shortage and other challenges
However, there have been some issues with the TK deployment. Finding enough skilled teachers is the main issue. According to Early Edge California, there is a shortage of at least 12,000 TK teachers because of the tiny class sizes and additional credentials needed to teach 4-year-olds. The shortage has slightly subsided as a result of the state’s introduction of a new TK–3 certification last year and more schools collaborating with nearby universities to hire and prepare future educators.
Finding classroom space has been another challenge. Districts have to find funding to either build new classrooms or renovate old ones since TK classrooms, like kindergarten classrooms, must have bathrooms. Funding for TK projects was made available by the S$10 billion school development bond last year.
Preschools have also been affected by TK. Californian families can choose from a variety of early education options, including private preschools, federal Head Start preschools for extremely low-income families, and state-funded preschools for low-income families. Existing preschools have seen a drop in enrollment as 4-year-olds now have a free choice, which has caused some institutions to hike fees or even close. Arecent reportfrom UC Berkeley showed that TK expansion has led topre-K desertsin some parts of the state.
Bruce Fuller, an education professor at UC Berkeley who s researched TK, said it s too early to tell who s benefitting from the program.
We re seeing a shift away from preschool and toward TK, but we don t know if TK is actually reaching new families, Fuller said. We might just be seeing families who would have enrolled anyway.
Dual-language programs
A handful of districts offer dual-language TK classes, which have been popular with parents. Karina Galustians, a parent in the Tujunga neighborhood of Los Angeles, enrolled her daughter Julianna last fall in an Armenian-English TK class in Los Angeles Unified s Pinewood Early Education Center.
Galustians husband speaks fluent Armenian, and the couple was eager for Julianna to be able to communicate with the extended family and learn more about the culture.
The more languages you know, the better off you are, said Galustians, whose first language is Spanish. To find a school where she can get those academic skills and practice her Armenian me and my husband were beyond grateful. We hit the jackpot.
Julianna starts kindergarten this fall at another Los Angeles Unified school, where she ll be part of the Armenian dual language program. We feel like she s very well prepared, Galustians said.
Everyone feels included
Meanwhile, at Silverwood Elementary in Concord, Swanson ended the day by having students put away the blocks and plastic bugs and Eric Carle books. Then she sat with them in a circle and praised each child s efforts and told them how excited she was to see them again tomorrow.
David, you were super responsible today, Swanson told an awed 4-year-old as she handed him a personalized certificate. Lindsay, you were a good friend. Zaire, you were so respectful.
Then it was time for the children to go meet their parents, who were waiting at the side of the playground. Swanson chatted with nearly every parent, telling them how much she enjoys their children.
I think TK should be the same as what we want for society generally, Swanson said. It should be a place where everyone feels included and valued. We want everyone to be curious and non-judgmental and happy to be here.
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