About the Program
Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is a State of California Department of Education initiative begun in 2010 to provide developmentally appropriate kindergarten access to children who turn five years old between a certain date range. Children who attend and complete TK then move on to kindergarten the following year. A child with a birthday within the TK range will have two years of kindergarten experience before going to first grade, preparing them for success!
Benefits
Consistent research in early education has shown (National Education Association, National Library of Medicine, 2017) that providing a high-quality education for children before they turn five yields significant medium- and long-term benefits for students. Children in early childhood education programs are: less likely to repeat a grade less likely to be identified as having special needs more prepared academically for later grades more likely to graduate from high school higher earners in the workforce. LESD encourages our families to participate in the UTK program. Research shows that 90% of brain growth happens before kindergarten. Providing our families and students access to a quality education at earlier grade levels can assist in this overall cognitive development. LESD has always supported an equity approach to education, and the expansion of universal TK will assist in bridging the equity gap by granting access to universal TK for all children regardless of income or race.
Structure of Program
All LESD TK programs are in session 5 days a week and follow the District calendar. Class times on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday are 8:30am to 2:30pm; minimum day Thursdays are 8:30am to 1:05pm. Each classroom will follow developmentally appropriate teaching practices utilizing curriculum that is aligned within the CA Preschool Learning Foundation and the Common Core State Standards. The California Preschool Learning Foundations (CDE 2008, CDE 2010b, and CDE 2013b), California’s Common Core State Standards for kindergarten, and the kindergarten Content Standards for California Public Schools are resources that help teachers define what to teach in the TK classroom. Class instruction is provided by a fully credentialed certificated general education teacher along with the support of an additional classified support educator.
During this 2 year program, students are introduced to English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies and Physical Education standards.
If classes are full, Lawndale will add your child to the waitlist. If you are looking for another opportunity to enroll your child in an early childhood education program, you may be eligible for our State Preschool or our LEAP program!