Expansion Reach of a State's Transitional Kindergarten Program So Far
In California, there is currently a lack of information available on the participation of parents from underrepresented populations in the Transitional Kindergarten (TK) programs. This program, a "transition" year between preschool and kindergarten, was launched in the 2012-13 school year and is intended to help 4-year-olds adjust to the greater academic and behavioral expectations of kindergarten.
The implementation of TK varies significantly from district to district. Some districts are aggressively expanding TK, while others have waitlists or do not offer TK at all. Basic aid districts, which don't receive per-pupil funding, are less likely to establish TK programs, but some of them do offer TK. Every district with kindergarten is required to offer TK, but some districts that receive funding through the state's per-pupil funding formula or local control funding formula still don't provide TK.
In recent years, a growing number of states have made universal pre-K available to all 4-year-olds, with California being the most recent. In 2021, California sought to expand the program by passing a universal prekindergarten program, requiring public schools offering kindergarten to add free pre-kindergarten, or TK, for all 4-year-olds by the 2025-26 school year.
A 2023 report analyzed TK pre-expansion in five unnamed districts in California and found that pre-expansion TK led to earlier identification of English-learner students and students with special education needs. The report also suggested positive social-emotional learning outcomes for English-only students, but it did not show that TK improves test scores in grades 3 and 4 more than other pre-kindergarten options.
As states consider rolling out TK programs, it is important to give as much attention as possible to making sure that TK children are ready for kindergarten. This can be achieved by preparing the teachers and the curriculum, and understanding the unique needs of 4-year-olds. Early childhood experts can help districts navigate this change, ensuring teachers are prepared, the curriculum is ready, and the physical space is prepared.
Enrollment in California's TK program is lower among underrepresented demographics, such as Pacific Islander, Black, Native American, and Latino children. Among Latino English learners, take-up rates for California's TK program fell 23 percentage points from pre-pandemic levels to 2023-24.
Districts' senior leadership needs to understand that TK children, 4-year-olds, are not just little kindergarteners—they're really, really different. It's crucial to ensure that these young learners are given the support they need to thrive in their educational journey.
Despite the challenges, California's TK program continues to evolve, aiming to provide a strong foundation for 4-year-olds as they prepare for kindergarten and beyond.
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