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Early Learning

In 2012, California introduced transitional kindergarten, a new grade for older 4-year-olds. The state has begun restoring preschool and child care slots eliminated during the recession, and investing more in full-day programs. California has not adopted universal preschool for 4-year-olds as urged by President Barack Obama and implemented in some states, but is making progress to reaching that goal promoted by many advocates. There is a growing emphasis on the 0-3 years, as well as on developing systems on how to measure the quality of early education programs.
August 17, 2017

Understanding transitional kindergarten: a quick guide

Transitional kindergarten was introduced after a 2010 California law changed the cutoff birth date for kindergarten entry from Dec. 2 to Sept. 1.

Ashley Hopkinson
July 31, 2017

Summer program teaches key skills to prepare children for kindergarten

A summer program in Oakland aims to make sure that kindergarten students are ready to learn.

Ashley Hopkinson
July 24, 2017

Home nursing visits provide wide-ranging benefits for mothers, young children

The Nurse-Family Partnership program improved parenting skills and early childhood development, a new study finds.

Ashley Hopkinson
July 4, 2017

Oakland expands computer game math program used by 1 million students in California and nationwide

Oakland joins districts in California and across the country that see improvements in math proficiency among students who work with ST Math

Theresa Harrington
July 2, 2017

Research shows transitional kindergarten benefit for English learners

English learners in transitional kindergarten show significant gains.

Deborah Kong
June 28, 2017

Transitional kindergarten boosts school readiness in math, reading

Researchers found kindergartners who had attended transitional kindergarten are better prepared than those who had attended preschool or had not been in a formal preschool program.

Ashley Hopkinson
June 18, 2017

California to raise income limits to allow more children to qualify for subsidized child care

California has not increased its income eligibility limit for subsidized child care since the 2007-08 fiscal year.

Ashley Hopkinson
June 7, 2017

Through observation and play, toddlers take on science

Through a community partnership, science specialists at the Lawrence Hall of Science are bringing free, play-based science lessons to playgroups for low-income families across the Bay Area.

Ashley Hopkinson
May 31, 2017

Few programs prepared to help traumatized infants and toddlers, report finds

Despite the prevalence of childhood trauma, few early education programs are prepared to help the more than 35 million children in the country who have experienced trauma, researchers say.

Ashley Hopkinson
May 18, 2017

Transitional kindergarten helps prepare English learners for school, study finds

English learners who attend transitional kindergarten enter kindergarten with stronger literacy and math skills, according to a recent American Institutes for Research study.

Ashley Hopkinson
May 16, 2017

Gov. Brown's revised budget plan draws mixed response from early education advocates

While early education advocates say they appreciate Gov. Jerry Brown keeping last year’s promise to increase preschool funding, they lamented that the May budget revision didn’t include additional money and changes that would allow more low-income families to qualify for subsidized child care.

Ashley Hopkinson
May 9, 2017

Some smaller districts enroll younger 4-year-olds in early kindergarten

The “transitional kindergarten” program is for 4-year-olds who turn 5 after Sept. 1, the cutoff date for enrolling in regular kindergarten, and before Dec. 3. Some districts enroll even younger 4-year-olds.

Ashley Hopkinson
April 19, 2017

Majority of Californians polled favor vouchers for private schools

However, twice in the past, they overwhelmingly rejected ballot initiatives that would have allowed vouchers.

John Fensterwald
April 9, 2017

Despite law change, few districts offer early kindergarten for youngest 4-year-olds

Only six of California's 25 largest school districts are taking advantage of a state law that allows them to enroll more 4-year-olds in a pre-kindergarten program known as “transitional kindergarten.”

Ashley Hopkinson
March 30, 2017

California lags behind many other states in offering full-day kindergarten

About 70 percent of schools in California offer full-day programs.

Louis Freedberg and Susan Frey