What’s new this school year? Changing COVID protocols, universal TK, later start times and more – The Vacaville Reporter

Earlier start times for middle and high school students, the expansion of transitional kindergarten, more after-school programs and the opening of more community schools are just some changes students and staff will have to adjust to this school year, while still dealing with COVID-19 safety protocols and persistent staff shortages.

Despite the challenges, educators seem confident that the experience of the last two years and increased resources will help them navigate another year of COVID-19, as well as new state programs.

“I am looking forward to another year of in-person instruction,” said Corey Willenberg, superintendent of Oroville Union High School District in Butte County. “We are going to offer kids and families a fantastic education despite the hurdles we are facing.”

Source: What’s new this school year? Changing COVID protocols, universal TK, later start times and more – The Vacaville Reporter

Pre-kindergarten program expanding for 2022-23 school year – Daily Republic

Transitional kindergarten programs are expanding for the next school year.

“Attending a high-quality early education program helps children develop critical social-emotional, cognitive and early academic skills to prepare them for kindergarten and future educational endeavors,” the Solano County Office of Education announced.

Source: Pre-kindergarten program expanding for 2022-23 school year

Travis schools expanding transitional kindergarten program – Daily Republic

By Susan Hiland

Sue Brothers, assistant superintendent for Educational Services at Travis School District, said transitional kindergarten will include all 4-year-olds by the 2024-25 school year.

She discussed the district’s draft plan for transitional kindergarten at Tuesday night’s meeting.

“Over the next few years, more students will become eligible,” Brothers said.

The plan currently serves 4-year-olds who turn 5 by Dec. 2. Over the next four years, age eligibility increases to include two more months of birthdays each year until all 4-year-olds are eligible by 2024-25.

Source: Travis schools expanding transitional kindergarten program

Travis school board to consider new TK, special ed classroom materials – Daily Republic

Trustees of the Travis School District will hear a presentation Tuesday on recommended instructional materials for children in transitional kindergarten and special education classes.

The presentation will be made by Sue Brothers, assistant superintendent of Educational Services, who will present information about the new curricula, “World of Wonders.”

Children throughout the district’s lower grades already make use of “World of Wonders.”

Source: Travis school board to consider new TK, special ed classroom materials

Dodd’s universal preschool bill clears Education Committee – Daily Republic

By Daily Republic Staff

Legislation that would allow all 4-year-olds to attend transitional kindergarten passed the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday.

“I strongly believe that universal early childhood education is an investment in our future that will pay dividends for years to come,” Sen. Bill Dodd, who authored Senate Bill 837, said in a statement released Wednesday. “It is absolutely essential for economic vitality and social mobility. California must step up our investment in the next generation.”

The existing transitional kindergarten program is available to children who turn 5 shortly after the first semester of a school year.

Source: Dodd’s universal preschool bill clears Education Committee

Math festivals help elementary students — and their families — see math as fun | EdSource

By Ashley Hopkinson

A dozen parents gathered around veteran math educator Leanna Baker, moments before students show up for what is billed as a math “festival” for students at Allendale Elementary School in Oakland.

“Do your best not to give them an answer,” Baker told the dozen parent volunteers about how best to help the transitional kindergarten to fifth grade students participating in math activities arranged for that day. “We want them to be problem solvers.”

Interviews by EdSource with educators at several school districts suggests that a growing number of elementary schools are hosting events like these for students and families to convey the message that math is fun and can be practiced every day in simple ways in their own lives, not just in the classroom.

Source: Math festivals help elementary students — and their families — see math as fun | EdSource

Transitional kindergarten boosts school readiness in math, reading | EdSource

By Ashley Hopkinson

California students who attended transitional kindergarten were more engaged in the learning process and better prepared for math and reading when they entered kindergarten than children who did not, according to a new study by the American Institutes for Research.

The study, released Wednesday, compared the skill levels of kindergartners who had attended transitional kindergarten with those who had attended preschool or had not been in formal preschool the year prior.

“Transitional kindergarten gives students an advantage of three to six months of learning in literacy and mathematics skills at kindergarten entry, which is quite notable, especially given that a large majority of the students attended preschool,” said Heather Quick, principal researcher of the study.

Source: Transitional kindergarten boosts school readiness in math, reading | EdSource

Despite law change, few districts offer early kindergarten for youngest 4-year-olds | EdSource

By Ashley Hopkinson

Only a small number of California’s largest school districts are taking advantage of a state law that allows them to enroll more 4-year-olds in a pre-kindergarten program known as “transitional kindergarten.”

The state’s transitional kindergarten program began in 2012-13, for 4-year-olds who turn 5 in the first few months of the school year.

The state Legislature subsequently gave districts permission to expand transitional kindergarten to even younger 4-year-olds, but with only partial reimbursement from the state. So far only six of the state’s 25 largest school districts offer these programs, known as “expanded transitional kindergarten.”

Source: Despite law change, few districts offer early kindergarten for youngest 4-year-olds | EdSource

Travis School District opens kindergarten, transitional kindergarten registration – Daily Republic

By Daily Republic Staff

Travis School District begins priority registration for kindergarten and transitional kindergarten Wednesday at Scandia Elementary on Travis Air Force Base.

That will be followed Thursday at Travis Elementary, 200 Fairfield Ave., Fairfield; March 27 at Foxboro Elementary, 600 Morning Glory Drive, Vacaville; March 28 at Cambridge Elementary, 100 Cambridge Drive, Vacaville; and March 29 at Center Elementary, 3101 Markeley Lane, Fairfield.

The time is set by the first letter of the child’s last name: A-G at 5 p.m.; H-L at 5:30 p.m.; and M-Z at 6 p.m.

Source: Travis School District opens kindergarten, transitional kindergarten registration

Pre-K education rating system enacted in Solano County – Times Herald

By Times Herald Staff

A rating system designed to monitor and improve the early education of Solano County children is now in effect.

The program, known as the Solano Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), was created by The Solano County Office of Education, First 5 Solano and additional community partners, according to a news release.

The system assists pre-kindergarten care providers with implementing standards of quality and informing parents of the elements and outcomes of quality education.

This is achieved through on-site coaching, technical assistance, professional development and observation.

The Solano QRIS also enables providers to offer program incentives and ongoing support to families.

Source: Pre-K education rating system enacted in Solano County

A bill for kindergarten readiness standards to meet a need – or cause problems? | EdSource

By Jeremy Hay

An Oakland Assemblyman has proposed legislation to create new kindergarten readiness standards in state-funded preschools, saying the bill would give low-income students and those learning English an equal shot at academic success.

“It seems simple but we don’t have it,” said Rob Bonta, D-Oakland, author of AB 2410, which he introduced last month. “We’re the largest state in the country and other states have it and, frankly, we need it. We need to know what we’re trying to accomplish in early childhood education. The question should be, ‘How can we not have kindergarten readiness standards?’”

He calls it “a justice issue” that is long overdue.

Bonta’s bill continues a decades-long national debate about whether such standards succeed or, as critics contend, lead to teaching practices and testing that are unsuited to how preschool-age children develop intellectually, behaviorally and emotionally.

Source: A bill for kindergarten readiness standards to meet a need – or cause problems? | EdSource

Registration underway for some Travis Unified grades – The Reporter

By Richard Bammer

Registration Kick-Off Week is underway in Travis Unified School District, and sign-ups for students in transitional kindergarten, or TK, kindergarten, and new students are being accepted, it has been announced.

Registrations are being accepted at schools of residence from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and from 1 to 3 p.m. today through Friday, district officials said.

Otherwise, parents may register their child or children during regular office hours at the student’s school of residence.

Vacaville has two elementary schools within district boundaries, Cambridge and Foxboro. Three other district schools are just south of city limits, off Peabody Road: Vanden High and Center Elementary, on Markeley Lane; and Golden West Middle School, on De Ronde Drive.

Source: Registration underway for some Travis Unified grades

Governor’s budget proposal may affect future of transitional kindergarten | EdSource

By Susan Frey

After years of effort to implement transitional kindergarten, Gov. Jerry Brown wants to eliminate the requirement that school districts offer the program, which provides an extra year of public school for 4-year-olds with fall birthdays. His proposal would also allow districts that offer it to charge enrollment fees for parents who aren’t low-income.

The proposal, which is part of the 2016-17 state budget, creates uncertainty for the future of transitional kindergarten. Many early education advocates saw it as a first step toward establishing a publicly funded program for all 4-year-olds. Just this past year, legislators allowed districts to expand the program to younger 4-year-olds, with some funding restrictions. And a recent research report found the program was effective in preparing students for kindergarten.

“The governor’s proposal comes squarely in the face of a fully implemented program that no one wants to give up,” said Erin Gabel, deputy director of external and governmental affairs at First 5 California. “Eliminating it as an entitlement with a stable funding source is a step backwards.”

Source: Governor’s budget proposal may affect future of transitional kindergarten | EdSource

Classes combining kindergarten, transitional kindergarten pose challenges | EdSource

By Susan Frey

As a result of a new state law, California schools instituted transitional kindergarten to give 4-year-olds who were previously eligible for kindergarten an extra year to adjust to school and experience a less academically-oriented curriculum. But many thousands of those children are in classrooms with kindergartners, leaving teachers to figure out how to accommodate the new approach for 4-year-olds while preparing the 5-year-olds for 1st grade.

In 2013-14, about 57,000 students were estimated to have been in transitional kindergarten, and 78 percent of the classes were combination classes with both kindergartners and transitional kindergartners, according to the most recent data provided by the California Department of Education. An estimated 1,298 classes were stand-alone transitional kindergarten, while 4,674 were mixed classes.

via Classes combining kindergarten, transitional kindergarten pose challenges | EdSource#.VRRUN2ctHGg#.VRRUN2ctHGg.

Significantly altered transitional kindergarten bill passes in the Senate | EdSource Today

By Lillian Mongeau

A bill that would make public pre-kindergarten available at no charge to children from California’s lowest-income families passed the state Senate today and heads to the Assembly for debate there.

First introduced with much fanfare in January, SB 837 expands the pre-kindergarten program known as transitional kindergarten. It has been touted as a top priority by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg despite little interest on the part of Gov. Jerry Brown.

“This is at the top of the list. I can’t think of anything more important,” Steinberg, D-Sacramento, said at a news conference announcing the new bill in January.

Transitional kindergarten is a public school program for children who turn 5 in the first few months of the school year. Originally, the bill sought to expand transitional kindergarten to serve all 4-year-olds the year before they enrolled in kindergarten. Changes to the bill language announced last week and introduced yesterday would make transitional kindergarten a targeted program for children who qualify for free or reduced price lunch under the federal poverty guidelines (under $44,000 annual income for a family of four), rather than a universal program.

via Significantly altered transitional kindergarten bill passes in the Senate | EdSource Today.

Value of early education questioned at House committee hearing | EdSource Today

By Lillian Mongeau

House Republicans questioned the need for new early education programs and asked if the research showing the benefits of preschool has been oversold Tuesday at a Workforce and Education Committee hearing on early childhood programs.

“Serious questions remain as to whether these programs are producing positive results for the children they serve,” said committee chairman Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., at the hearing.

President Barack Obama first proposed a new federal grant program to help states establish or expand publicly funded preschool programs in his 2013 State of the Union Address. He renewed that call in his 2014 address. A bill, called the Strong Start for America’s Children Act, which codifies the president’s proposal, was introduced in both houses in November. When the bill was first announced, Kline promised he would hold hearings on early childhood programs, though not the bill specifically, in early 2014. Tuesday’s hearing was the first.

via Value of early education questioned at House committee hearing | EdSource Today.

School Readiness for State’s Youngest Learners – Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education)

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson is co-sponsoring legislation to provide voluntary, high-quality transitional kindergarten to every 4-year-old child in California, he announced at a Sacramento elementary school today.

Senate Bill 837 (Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento), the Kindergarten Readiness Act, builds upon the state’s existing transitional kindergarten programs to ensure that every 4-year-old has the same opportunity to attend. Torlakson is co-sponsoring the bill with Early Edge California, which works to ensure that children have the early experiences they need to help them succeed in school.

“It’s impossible to overstate how important these early years are to a child’s future success in school,” Torlakson said. “Transitional kindergarten—particularly a full-year, full-day program—can make all the difference, especially for families who may be struggling to give their young children these valuable learning opportunities.”

via School Readiness for State’s Youngest Learners – Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education).

NorthBay brings holiday cheer to Fairview – Daily Republic

By Barry Eberling

Santa Claus came to Fairview Elementary School on Thursday and got an impressive reception.

“Santa! Santa! Santa!” the children in teacher Emily Haskell’s transitional kindergarten class chanted when Santa appeared at the classroom door.

Children rushed to hug him. Santa sat in a wooden chair that had a cloth draped on it, emblazoned with the words “VIP” and handed out gift bags.

via NorthBay brings holiday cheer to Fairview Daily Republic.

Transitional kindergarten enrollment varies widely across districts | EdSource Today

By 

Local control and parental prerogative, two hallmarks of the state’s new transitional kindergarten program, led to large variations in enrollment rates across the largest school districts in the state during the first year the program was available, according to an EdSource survey.

Transitional kindergarten was offered for the first time in nearly every school district during the 2012-13 school year. More than 39,000 students enrolled in transitional kindergarten statewide, according to the first in a series of reports on the new grade level published by the American Institutes of Research (AIR).

Transitional kindergarten enrollment varies widely across districts | EdSource Today.

EdSource Today: Majority of California districts offer transitional kindergarten in first year of program

By 

An estimated 39,000 students enrolled in transitional kindergarten this school year, the first year districts were required to offer the program, according to a new report.

The report, released Tuesday by the American Institutes for Research, is the first in a series planned by the Institute on how the new grade level for children whose fifth birthdays fall between Sept. 1 and Dec. 1 is being implemented in the 868 unified and elementary districts that must offer it. The report found that 89 percent of those districts offered the program this year; 7 percent of the districts that didn’t offer the program reported there were no eligible students in their districts. Most districts that didn’t offer the program were rural and had a very small student population, the report said.

via Majority of California districts offer transitional kindergarten in first year of program – by Lillian Mongeau.