Transitional Kindergarten Implementation Summit November 8, 2011 Sacramento, California

1. Transitional Kindergarten Implementation Summit November 8, 2011Sacramento, California

2. Panelists • Wilma Hashimoto, Fresno COE • Nancy Herota, Sacramento COE • David Swart, Rescue Union School District • Kathy Thompson, Shasta COE • Natalie Woods Andrews, Sacramento COE • Joyce Wright, Sacramento COE

3. Organization • Introduction • Getting Started: Program Structure and Design • Effective Instruction, Curriculum, and Assessment • Next Steps • References • Appendices

4. Introduction • The Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2010 Senate Bill 1381 (Simitian) • History of kindergarten in the U.S. • Rationale for Transitional Kindergarten (TK)

5. The Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2010Senate Bill 1381 (Simitian) • Changes entry-age for kindergarten (5 years) and for first grade (6 years) • Establishes TK for all age-eligible children • TK voluntary for children • TK mandatory for districts to offer

6. Transitional Kindergarten:as Defined by SB 1381 • First year of a two-year kindergarten program • Modified kindergarten curriculum that is age and developmentally appropriate • Flexibility provided for local school districts to meet students’ needs • Not a new program

7. Getting Started: Program Structure & Design • Communication • Organizing the TK program • The TK teacher and professional development • District articulation with PreK and K-3

8. Getting Started Communication • Between District/School & Community (Families & Preschool Providers) • Start early • Inform parents of the benefits • Communicate frequently • Use multiple methods

9. Getting Started Communication •Within District and Schools • District board members • District administrators • Union representatives • Site administrators • TK, kindergarten, and 1st-3rd grade teachers

10. Getting Started Funding • Same ADA rate of funding as kindergarten • ADA based on children enrolled in TK and kindergarten • TK age-eligible children do not need Kindergarten Continuance Form to continue to second year of kindergarten

11. Getting Started Facilities & Transportation • TK must be offered by district for all age-eligible children, but need not be located at each elementary school • Facilities––same requirements as for kindergarten • Transportation is local decision

12. Getting Started Scheduling &Class Configuration • TK half-day/full day––same requirements as for kindergarten • TK and kindergarten combination is permissible • TK is not replication of preschool nor the same as the second year of kindergarten

13. Getting Started The TK Teacher • Credential requirements are the same as for kindergarten teachers • If teaching students identified as English learners, teacher must be authorized • Early childhood experience desirable

14. Getting Started Professional Development • CA Preschool Learning Foundations • CA Common Core State Standards • CA Content Standards for Kindergarten • Differentiation of instruction • Classroom environment • Assessment

15. Getting Started • PreK-Grade 3 Articulation • Connect with local ECE providers • Connect with kindergarten and grades 1-3 • Regular articulation meetings • Joint professional development • Share assessments of student learning

16. Discussion Topics • Share ideas about how to design, organize, and structure TK programs. • How can districts support TK teachers with implementation, ongoing professional development, and articulation opportunities?

17. Effective Instruction, Curriculum, and Assessment • How to teach in a TK program • What to teach in a TK program • How to know what students are learning

18. How to Teach in a TK Program The Environment • Engaging, playful, and intentional • Supportive of student diversity and needs • Opportunities for whole group, small group, and individual activities • Variety of learning centers

19. How to Teach in a TK Program Instruction • Plan purposeful and playful activities • Facilitate a balance of teacher-guided and child-initiated activities • Connect to and build upon students’ knowledge and experience

20. How to Teach in a TK Program Integrated Instruction • Make connections across content areas • Incorporate real life experiences • Support student motivation

21. How to Teach in a TK Program Differentiated Instruction • Support individual student differences and needs • Include variations in schedules, learning tasks, and teaching strategies • Meet needs of students with disabilities • Meet needs of students who are English learners

22. What to Teach in a TK Program • Different from preschool and second year of kindergarten • Modified kindergarten curriculum that is developmentally and age appropriate • CA Preschool Learning Foundations, CA Common Core State Standards, and CA Content Standards for Kindergarten

23. What to Teach in a TK Program • Social-emotional Development • Language Arts • Mathematics • Science • History/Social Science • Physical Education • Visual and Performing Arts

24. Discussion Topics Discussion Topics • How can districts ensure that the TK curricular program is distinctly different from kindergarten? • How can districts support TK teachers’ understanding of the connections among the CA Preschool Learning Foundations, the CA Common Core State Standards, and the CA Content Standards for Kindergarten?

25. How to Know What Students are Learning • Identify students’ needs, modify instruction, and communicate with other teachers and families • Use a variety of measurement tools and approaches across all areas of learning • Identify students’ strengths, needs, and progress to facilitate flexible grouping

26. Next Steps • Getting Started • Effective Instruction, Curriculum, and Assessment

27. Appendices • Senate Bill 1381 • TK FAQs • Kindergarten in California • Kindergarten Continuance Form • Online Resources • CTC Credential Alert • TK Learning Environment

28. Technical Assistance • County Offices of Education • Preschool California • Districts currently implementing

29. Contact Information for Panelists • Wilma Hashimoto, Fresno COE whashimoto@fcoe.org • Nancy Herota, Sacramento COE nherota@scoe.net • David Swart, Rescue Union School District dswart@rescue.k12.ca.us • Kathy Thompson, Shasta COE kthompson@shastacoe.org • Natalie Woods Andrews, Sacramento COE nwoodsandrews@scoe.net • Joyce Wright, Sacramento COE jwright@scoe.net