Transitional Kindergarten Program

1. Orcutt Union School District Transitional Kindergarten Program

2. Agenda • Kindergarten Entry-Age in California • Purpose of a Transitional Kindergarten Program • Transitional Kindergarten is Ideal for Young Fives • Program Outcomes and Student Benefits • Program Models • School Information & Schedule

3. Agenda • Teaching & Learning • Curriculum • Resources for Parents • Web Site Information • Questions/Comments

4. Kindergarten Entry-Age in California SB 1381 changes the kindergarten entry-age in CA from five years old by December 2, to five years old by September 1.

5. Purpose of the Transitional Kindergarten Program Young Five Year Old Children (e.g, children turning five from Sept. 2 – Dec. 2, 2011) • The transitional kindergarten (TK) program is for young five year old students who are not ready to attend a regular kindergarten classroom • These students have the option of entering a transitional kindergarten program for one year, and then entering a regular kindergarten program for the following year. • TK would give students a jump start to acquire the necessary skills that would help them be successful in kindergarten and beyond. • This program would help students develop their social, emotional, academic, and language skills.

6. Ideal for the following students • A child who needs more support with social and emotional development. • A child who needs more support with academic preparation • A child who needs more support with language

7. Program Outcomes and Student Benefits • TK will improve students’ pre-first grade preparation and reduce their likelihood of retention. • TK will provide earlier language and academic support for English Learners who often receive less pre-k exposure. • TK will increase students’ academic performance and social development

8. Program Outcomes and Student Benefits • Research suggests that beginning kindergarten at an older age: • May lead to positive student outcomes including less chance of grade retention and higher earning as an adult • Improves children’s social and academic development • Tends to increase student performance on standardized tests

9. School Information & Schedule • The TK classes will be located at Joe Nightingale School • The TK class will begin in August, at the same time as the other kindergarten classroom • The TK program will follow the traditional kindergarten schedule • The children will have assemblies and other educational enrichment opportunities with their kindergarten peers

10. Teaching and Learning • The TK teacher will be a certified kindergarten teacher • Student progress will be assessed on an on-going basis • After the TK program, your child will be enrolled in the regular kindergarten program at your home school

11. Transitional Kindergarten Curriculum • Use of modified kindergarten curriculum • Developmentally appropriate • Socio-emotional • Physical • Cognitive • Aligned to kindergarten standards • Use of best practices

12. Transitional Kindergarten Curriculum

13. Transitional Kindergarten Curriculum

14. Transitional Kindergarten Curriculum

15. Resources for Parents • Continuity for Young Children: Positive Transitions to Elementary School (CDE) • Prekindergarten Learning and Development Guildelines (CDE) • Eager to Learn: Educating our Preschool (NRC) • School Readiness: Helping Communities Get Children Ready for Schools and Schools Ready for Children (Child Trends)

16. Resources for Parents • Getting Ready for Kindergarten: A Guide for Parents (San Mateo COE) • Helping Your Child Get Read for School (US Department of Education)

17. Web Site Information • The Transitional Kindergarten Library http://www.tkcalifornia.org • Preschool California http://www.preschoolcalifornia.org/SB1381 • CDE http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/em/kinderinfo.asp • National Association for the Education of Young Children http://www.naeyc.org/ • First Five California http://www.ccfc.ca.gov