Originally published June 13, 2024
Across California, parents of young kids are deciding whether to enroll their children in transitional kindergarten as it increasingly becomes available for 4-year-olds. Here are some frequently asked questions about this new grade in California’s public school system.
What is transitional kindergarten?
California introduced transitional kindergarten in 2012 to serve a group of children who narrowly missed the cutoff date to qualify for kindergarten. They were commonly known as “fall babies” because their fifth birthday between Sept. 2 and Dec. 2 made them too young for kindergarten, but old enough for TK. The state describes TK as the first of a two-year kindergarten program to prepare children for the rigors of elementary school. In 2021, the state expanded eligibility for all 4-year-olds as part of a $2.7 billion, five-year plan.
How do I know if my kid is eligible for TK?
Since 2022, the eligibility dates have been moving gradually to accommodate more 4-year-olds. Starting in the fall of 2025, all kids who turn 4 by Sept. 1 of the school year will be guaranteed a spot in TK. Already, nearly 50% of school districts, charter schools and county offices of education say they’ll offer early admittance this fall for students who will have their 4th birthday by Sept. 1. It’s worth checking with your local education agency to see if your child may be eligible sooner than the statewide schedule.
What do kids learn in TK?
TK is intended to be a play-based program, where children learn through play and interaction with each other. Schools are expected to align with the state’s framework, Preschool/Transitional Kindergarten Learning Foundations, when they set the curriculum for TK. The document lays out the knowledge and skills that 3- to 5-year-old children can acquire if given the benefits of a high-quality early education.
It highlights the essential skills needed to achieve learning goals, such as focusing attention, understanding and using vocabulary, planning, problem-solving, and collaborating with others, says Peter Mangione, an early childhood expert at the educational research and service organization WestEd and a lead contributor to the Learning Foundations…