Any Transitional-Kindergarten peeps out there?

aleithea

Any Transitional-Kindergarten parents out there? How do you like it?  I am aware our state governor (CA) may eventually wipe out this program, however our district is going to offer it this year.  My daughter was born Oct. 26, four days before our state's cutoff of Nov. 1.  Her preschool teacher says she's ready for K, but my hubby and I don't love the idea of her being the youngest all the way through her school career. We were told we may choose for her to go to T-K instead.  Sounds like a great solution, but don't know too many people who have gone through a t-k program..thought you guys could weigh in

kittylove

When did you last talk to the school district? From my understanding transitional-k won't be offered at all next year anywhere in the state of CA as of Jan 9th, the funding isn't there for it. I would call and talk to your school, and see what if any plan they have for transitional K.

franciscaz

I wish we had this option!!!  NM is 49 in the nation for education for a reason  Our twins are 3 days before the Sep 1st cut off.  This would be ideal for them I think.

QtGinaJ

kittylove:

When did you last talk to the school district? From my understanding transitional-k won't be offered at all next year anywhere in the state of CA as of Jan 9th, the funding isn't there for it. I would call and talk to your school, and see what if any plan they have for transitional K.

 

THIS.  Check your districts website.  If you still want to do it, check into private schools.

aleithea

I called our district, and as of right now, they are still planning to offer it..though probably not next year (unfortunate this program is going away, as my son's birthday is in fall too). 

The only pre-k I have found is through private, and although we are interested in a private school in the area, this one is 2x the cost, and I'm hearing mixed things about it.  Part of me wonders if I should just go ahead and send her to Kindergarten, but I don't love the idea of her always being the very youngest throughout her school career. 

jsugrin

The 2012-2013 school year will be the first for TK so no one has had experience with it yet. If she's now 4 our district would only allow her in kinder, TK is only offered for kids with birthdays between Nov 4-Dec. 4th but I know one mom in the bay area whose district is allowing her summer boy into their TK program.

I talked with our district coordinator and other than the fact that they are super disorganized trying to implement a new program she told me that it's basically kindergarten with lower expectations, more focus on being able to sit for circle time and projects, learning their letters and numbers, and colors.  In a nutshell it sounds like a solid pre-school program for kids with zero school exposure.  She told me they fully expect that kids with 1-3 years of preschool experience will be offered the choice to mid year promote to kinder or to skip kinder and go straight to 1st for 2013-2014.

So I would first and foremost find out if LA Unified will be allowing kids outside of the targeted age group ( Nov.4th-Dec 4th) into their program or not.  If they are and you don't think DD is ready for kinder than I think it's an excellent opportunity to get her into school and see how she does.

toomanycats1

My best-friend was the youngest person in the class the entire time we were in Elementary and High School... and she was also the top student every year, there was no keeping up with her!  I don't think that age should be the concern, but more a matter of what level you feel your daughter is at.  My friend was very mature, and never seemed younger.... and actually, alot of our peers that had failed a grade or two, actually seemed younger.  Good luck with your decision!  Just thought I'd give you something to consider. 

aleithea

Thank you for your feedback everyone...In our district, they legally have to offer TK to the Nov. 2-Dec. 2 first, but the district office head told me they are going to extend it to Oct. and late Sept children as well who's parents want it.

I'm really not sure...my daughter is very social, and academically seems ready..she can count to 30, knows her letters, can writer her name, etc...but emotionally, I think she seems to cry easily, and let older kids boss her around.  This is the part that concerns me, thought there is still more time to work with her on this.

 So confused!