Save Kindergarten
Gov. Brown’s January budget proposal includes denying up to 125,000 kids the right to kindergarten over the next three years. This is a devastating blow for California's young children. Cutting kindergarten is a lose-lose-lose for California’s children, parents, teachers and schools.
Children Lose
- Up to 125,000 of our youngest school children will be denied the right to kindergarten.
- This is the largest number of kids ever denied the right to public school in the nation’s history.
- Research shows that children will be more likely to fall behind, widening the achievement gap.
- Without school readiness programs like transitional kindergarten, children are more likely to be placed in special education, retained in later grades and drop out of high school.
- This is especially devastating for low-income kids and English learners.
- Of the 125,000 children, 62 percent are from low-income schools and 40 percent are English learners.
Parents Lose
- With up to 125,000 children denied the the right to public school, parents may be forced to quit their jobs because they are faced with the dilemma of finding childcare for their children who would no longer go to school in the fall.
- This plan would be particularly hard for low-income families, who cannot afford private childcare or preschool.
- Publicly funded preschool programs have already been severely slashed in recent years and have huge waiting lists.
Teachers and Schools Lose
- Up to 5,000 teachers could permanently lose their jobs.
- Schools could permanently lose up to $1 billion in ADA funding, including up to $100 million of special education funding.
- They will be forced to tell families to fend for themselves.
If you would like to share this messaging with others, you can find the 1-pager here.
Read more about the negative impact of eliminating kindergarten from Senator Joseph Simitian, author of the Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2010.
Join Preschool California in saving kindergarten
In his January budget, Gov. Brown has proposed denying up to 125,000 of the youngest school children - 1 out of 4 kindergarten-aged students - the right to kindergarten. This would be the largest number of students removed from public education in the nation's history.
Feb. 7: Long Beach Unified School District Parents, Educators, Business and Civic Leaders Rally for Full Implementation of Transitional Kindergarten. Read the Press Release.
Jan. 31: California Superintendents Call for Full Implementation of Transitional Kindergarten. Read the Press Release.
Jan. 26: California Federation of Teachers Opposes the
Proposal to Eliminate Transitional Kindergarten, Blocking 125,000
Children from Public School. Read the Press Release.
Jan. 13: Kindergarten Teachers, Early Education Advocates Alert Parents to Implications of Gov. Brown's Proposal to Bar 125,000 Children from Kindergarten. Read the Press Release.
Jan. 6: Governor Brown Proposes Kicking 125,000 Students out of Kindergarten. Read the Press Release.
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We at Preschool California are doing our best to stay appraised of
school district responses to the budget proposal. From our own outreach
in the field and tracking of related media, we have created a map that serves as a snapshot of which districts across California are putting
implementation plans on pause and which districts are moving full steam
ahead. Click the map to view. (Last updated Feb. 15) |
*If you would like to get involved in our efforts to save kindergarten, please contact Diana Chun at (510) 271-0075 ext. 303 or dchun@preschoolcalifornia.org.
California policymakers, business leaders, educators and parents support transitional kindergarten
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“The Administration’s budget proposal is a $700 million hit to K-12 education at the expense of 4 year olds and their families. The notion that 250,000 parents and their 125,000 kids are no longer eligible to begin school in the fall is a non-starter.” – The Honorable Joe Simitian, State Senator, State of California |
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“TK has been proven to be valuable to the school districts in lowering retention, special ed placement, and we predict dropout rates will go down.” – Cathy Wietstock, Administrator, Orange County Department of Education |
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“Not only does my daughter love going...she is able to have an academically, socially and emotionally fostering experience that will help her not only succeed, but excel in kindergarten next year.” – Caitlyn Otterstorm, mother of a Morgan Hill Unified School District child [Morgan Hill Times] |
The California State PTA has joined the movement to save kindergarten! Click here for a brief on PTA's position opposing the proposal to eliminate funding for kindergarten, which would deny children children the opportunities and experiences that transitional kindergarten affords.
The coalition of kindergarten supporters continues to grow greater each day. Find the list below:
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Assemblymember Susan Bonilla |
InnerCity Struggle Jump Start Kingsburg Elementary Charter School District Kingsburg Joint Union School District Los Angeles County Office of Education Los Angeles Unified School District Los Angeles Urban League National Council of La Raza Oakland Unified School District Parent Institute for Quality Education Sacramento City Unified School District Sacramento County Office of Education San Diego Unified School District Small School District Association The Education Trust-West Woodville Union School District Senator Joe Simitian |
| Support Letters |
Media
Media Inquiries
Deborah Kong, Director of Communications
(510) 271-0075 x 314
(415) 385-4288 (cell)
Send an email to Deb
Diana Chun, Communications and Online Advocacy Associate
(510) 271-0075 x 303
(925) 858-6853 (cell)
Send an email to Diana
PTA Education Brief - Transitional Kindergarten
Talking Points
2012 Summit: Leap into TK | 02.28.2012
This summit is for the educator who wants to learn more about transitional kindergarten; how to fund, how to implement, and how to design curriculum and a classroom environment that supports learning. more
Update on Transitional Kindergarten and the Governor’s Budget Proposal | 02.13.2012
Some important updates have occurred this week, including the release of the budget trailer bill on Wednesday, Feb. 1, which signal intent and offer guidance on transitional kindergarten from both the California Assembly and the Brown Administration. more
Family Rally: Save Kindergarten! | 02.07.2012
Gov. Brown has proposed denying our youngest schoolchildren right the right to attend kindergarten. If approved, up to 125,000 children with fall birthdays - 1 in 4 kindergarteners - will be denied the right to public education. Join the Long Beach Unified School District, families, educators and business and civic leaders to make your voices heard loud and clear: Save Kindergarten! more
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