TK means different ideas to different people; editors and writers know it means “to come,” a placeholder for missing content. TK to most California preschool parents means “Transitional Kindergarten,” and it is a sincere and robust attempt to even the academic playing field for children.
What is TK?
Transitional Kindergarten is the first year of a two-year program to help students born September through December. This is because California Education Code requires children to have turned five by September 1 of the year they start kindergarten; all those children born after that cut-off date can now take advantage of TK.
Youngest, Not Weakest
California’s school-age children, until 2010, were starting kindergarten too early compared to other states’ children. This meant our youngest were simply not ready for the pressures:
- Social skills
- Academic skills
- Maturity
With 2010’s law slowly raising Kindergarten age to 5, our children are better prepared for 13 years of public school. Those eligible for TK (turning 5 from September 2 through December 2) are also helped, by giving them time to develop without being “the youngest and weakest” in school.
What to Expect
The experts at TKCalifornia highlight the many benefits for your child moving from preschool to TK:
- Children get the gift of time to build strong foundations in social, emotional and academic skills
- Students learn self-regulation skills
- Families have choices, to continue preschool or enroll in TK to better help each child
- Schools benefit by having children enter Kindergarten well prepared for the expectations, both socially and academically
TK is proven to improve reading and math skills. The curriculum is developmentally appropriate for these younger students and still combines plenty of play and informal learning.
Great Start
TK is not magic, but it leads to long-term advantages. With TK, parents, school districts and taxpayers all benefit. Deborah Stipek, a professor at the Stanford University School of Education, says, “the cost [of TK] is paid back many times over in reduced grade retentions, special education services and in lower expenditures for incarceration.”
These macroscopic improvements help all of California. Your child can be helped by getting time to grow in TK so Kindergarten, when your child would be one of the older students, becomes a great start to a great school career.
What are your concerns, apprehensions or thoughts about Transitional Kindergarten? At Kids Konnect, we want to hear from you! Please leave us a comment below.