Interesting article on transitional K.

carmeng

I thought I'd share this article on transitional Kindergarten. It doesn't answer the questions that have been asked here but it's interesting and provides some information as to what is expected. As I mentioned earlier, it is something that is still being planned and hasn't been fully implemented yet.

I believe there's a gal from my office attending the planning meetings in SAC and when I go back to work I'll be attending them so I'll be able to share more information as it becomes available.

https://toped.svefoundation.org/2011/11/11/putting-kitchens-back-into-kindergarten/

jsugrin

Thank you so much for sharing this.  I've really been shocked to learn, just from hanging around the national boards that it's so common in other states to have pre k2, pre k3, pre k4 ect.  I really wish I knew some elementary teachers in my district to get the inside scoop on TK.  I feel for the district, having to implement something in such a loosy goosey environment.  I'm a little concerned of being faced with that first year 'guinea pig" effect.  It doesn't seem like we've got very many kids effected by it for 2012-2013 (on this board) but the following year as it absorbs Oct. kids too I think it will be very interesting to see how it plays out in different districts.

For example, I was blown away the other day when (akkk, screen name blank....but tyler's mama anyway) found out that her district would happily accept her July '07 kid.  While I didn't specifically ask that question in my district it was still clear that wouldn't happen here.

MeggyO

As a former kindergarten teacher, I LOVE the idea of transitional K. There are so many kids who just aren't ready for what kindergarten actually involves. I look forward to being able to enroll our LO in transitional K when she is ready!

TheMutleys

I am intrigued to see what happens with the program over the next couple of years.  We have 4 years until G would enter the program.  I hope that it is more exploration based. 

 

MeggyO, not sure if your little girl would qualify based on her birthday.  Here is a link that has the age cut-offs.  Although, it sounds like some districts might give more leeway, I doubt that February will be close.  I know that in my former district I had August kids that were 'held back by their parents', but never any July kids. 

mythreesons03

I am wondering about this, does every school district now have to offer transitional K? D's school didn't seem to know about it.

 

D will be 5 on 9/14 so I don't think it applies to him since he is before cut-off still. However when the twins turn 5 on 12/10/2015 will there be a transitional K in place? 

TheMutleys

mythreesons03:

I am wondering about this, does every school district now have to offer transitional K? D's school didn't seem to know about it.

 

D will be 5 on 9/14 so I don't think it applies to him since he is before cut-off still. However when the twins turn 5 on 12/10/2015 will there be a transitional K in place? 

Here are the cut-off dates according to the link I posted:

A transitional kindergarten is the first year of a two-year kindergarten program that uses a modified kindergarten curriculum that is age and developmentally appropriate. Pursuant to law, (EC 48000), a child is eligible for transitional kindergarten if a child will have his or her fifth birthday between:

For the 2012?13 school year November 2 and December 2
For the 2013?14 school year October 2 and December 2
For the 2014?15 school year and each school year thereafter September 2 and December 2.

I have no clue what they plan to do with the kids that are after December 2nd.  I believe that was already the cut-off for kindergarten, so they would have had to wait until the following year regardless of the new law.

Your D and my G share a birthday. 

jsugrin

mythreesons03:

I am wondering about this, does every school district now have to offer transitional K? D's school didn't seem to know about it.

 

D will be 5 on 9/14 so I don't think it applies to him since he is before cut-off still. However when the twins turn 5 on 12/10/2015 will there be a transitional K in place? 

The twins would not be eligible.  TK is designed to scoop up those kids effected in the next 3 years by the kinder eligibility roll back date and since their birthdates fall after the traditional cut off date anyway they will remain after the cut off date.

I'm not surprised D's school seems to know nothing.  That is how my district has been too.  All public schools are required to offer TK so if he's in a public school for pre-school or if you're simply referring to his expected kinder school they may still be scrambling to put their program together.

jsugrin

MeggyO:

As a former kindergarten teacher, I LOVE the idea of transitional K. There are so many kids who just aren't ready for what kindergarten actually involves. I look forward to being able to enroll our LO in transitional K when she is ready!

Unfortunately she wouldn't be eligible and it won't exist at that point anyway.  It's only for the following 3 years to target the kids effected by the kindergarten eligibility start date roll back. 

carmeng

It is my understanding that every district should have a transitional k program. In fact, some districts already do (not all schools though) but it's more of a pilot program. For those of you that are curious, contact your local county office of education office and ask about it - they're taking on the lead for each county.

 

TheMutleys

jsugrin:

MeggyO:

As a former kindergarten teacher, I LOVE the idea of transitional K. There are so many kids who just aren't ready for what kindergarten actually involves. I look forward to being able to enroll our LO in transitional K when she is ready!

Unfortunately she wouldn't be eligible and it won't exist at that point anyway.  It's only for the following 3 years to target the kids effected by the kindergarten eligibility start date roll back. 

Yes, her daughter wouldn't be eligible but it is slated to continue for the kids with birthdays between Sept 2 and Dec 2.  If the law isn't changed, there will be TK indefinitely.