Transitional Kindergarten

Senate Bill 1381, Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2010

The Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2010 changes the kindergarten entry date from 5 years old by December 2nd to September 1st so children enter kindergarten at age 5 in September. The new law amends the state education code relating to kindergarten to create transitional kindergarten, the first year of a two year kindergarten experience for students who are born between September and December.

When does this new law go into effect?

The program will be phased in over three years and will be fully implemented in 2014. In the 2012-2013 school year, a child who will have his or her fifth birthday between November 2nd and December 2nd shall be admitted to a transitional kindergarten program maintained by the school district. In 2013-2014 school year, a child who will have his or her fifth birthday between October 2nd and December 2nd shall be admitted to a transitional kindergarten program maintained by the local school district. In the 2014-15 school year and each school year thereafter, a child who will have his or her fifth birthday between September 2nd and December 2nd shall be admitted to a transitional kindergarten program maintained by the local school district.

What is the difference between transitional kindergarten and preschool?

Transitional kindergarten is required to be aligned with California’s kindergarten standards AND offer children developmentally appropriate curriculum. The California State Preschool program must be aligned to California’s Preschool Learning Foundations. Transitional kindergarten classes will be taught by credentialed teachers from the K-12 system. State preschool requires 24 units in early childhood education. Additionally, like kindergarten, districts would receive per pupil funding for children, as is the case in all public education.

What is the difference between transitional kindergarten and traditional kindergarten?

Transitional kindergarten is not a replication of kindergarten, the transitional kindergarten environment includes more opportunities for social-emotional and language development through dramatic play, small group instruction, and intentional teaching though hands-on activities.

Listed below are the contacts for each district regarding Transitional Kindergarten:

• Calaveras Unified School District
  Kim Potter
  754-2311
  kpotter@calaveras.k12.ca.us
• Mark Twain Union Elementary School District
  Julia Tidball
  736-1955
  jtidball@mtwain.k12.ca.us
• Vallecito Union School District
  Brett Loring
  795-8030
  bloring@vsd.k12.ca.us

More information regarding Transitional Kindergarten is available on California Department of Education website at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/em/kinderfaq.asp