Transitional Kindergarten Implementation Summit November 8, 2011 Sacramento, California

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 11/8/11 2

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

Introduction The Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2010 Senate Bill 1381 (Simitian) History of kindergarten in the U.S. Rationale for Transitional Kindergarten (TK) 11/8/114

The Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2010 Senate 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 11/8/115

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 11/8/116

Communication Organizing the TK program The TK teacher and professional development District articulation with PreK and K-3 11/8/117 Getting Started: Program Structure & Design

Between District/School & Community (Families & Preschool Providers) Start early Inform parents of the benefits Communicate frequently Use multiple methods 11/8/118 Communication Getting Started

Within District and Schools District board members District administrators Union representatives Site administrators TK, kindergarten, and 1 st -3 rd grade teachers 11/8/119 Communication Getting Started

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 11/8/1110 Funding 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 11/8/1111 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 11/8/1112 Getting Started

The TK Teacher 11/8/1113 Credential requirements are the same as for kindergarten teachers If teaching students identified as English learners, teacher must be authorized Early childhood experience desirable Getting Started

Professional Development 11/8/1114 CA Preschool Learning Foundations CA Common Core State Standards CA Content Standards for Kindergarten Differentiation of instruction Classroom environment Assessment Getting Started

11/8/1115 Connect with local ECE providers Connect with kindergarten and grades 1-3 Regular articulation meetings Joint professional development Share assessments of student learning PreK-Grade 3 Articulation Getting Started

11/8/1116 Discussion Topics

How to teach in a TK program What to teach in a TK program How to know what students are learning 11/8/1117 Effective Instruction, Curriculum, and Assessment

Engaging, playful, and intentional Supportive of student diversity and needs Opportunities for whole group, small group, and individual activities Variety of learning centers 11/8/1118 The Environment How to Teach in a TK Program

Plan purposeful and playful activities Facilitate a balance of teacher-guided and child-initiated activities Connect to and build upon students’ knowledge and experience 11/8/1119 Instruction How to Teach in a TK Program

Make connections across content areas Incorporate real life experiences Support student motivation 11/8/1120 Integrated Instruction How to Teach in a TK Program

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 11/8/1121 Differentiated Instruction How 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 11/8/1122 What to Teach in a TK Program

Social-emotional Development Language Arts Mathematics Science History/Social Science Physical Education Visual and Performing Arts 11/8/1123 What to Teach in a TK Program

Discussion Topics 11/8/1124 Discussion Topics

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 11/8/1125 How to Know What Students are Learning

Getting Started Effective Instruction, Curriculum, and Assessment 11/8/1126 Next Steps

Senate Bill 1381 TK FAQs Kindergarten in California Kindergarten Continuance Form Online Resources CTC Credential Alert TK Learning Environment 11/8/1127 Appendices

County Offices of Education Preschool California Districts currently implementing 11/8/11 28 Technical Assistance

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 11/8/1129 Contact Information for Panelists