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On July 9, 2021 Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 130, which provides a plan to expand Transitional Kindergarten (TK) to all 4-year-olds by the 2025-26 school year. This historic budget aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration’s proposals for investment in Early Learning and Care and families, found in its American Families Plan, which includes $200 billion to expand preschool to all 3- and 4-year-olds and $225 billion to increase access to high-quality, affordable child care for young children.
“The Governor and legislative leaders have shown true leadership in providing substantial funding in this [2021-22] budget to ensure every child has access to free Universal Transitional Kindergarten. This means more of California’s youngest kids will have access to quality care and an Early Learning experience that can set them up for success for the rest of their lives. This budget delivers on the promise of creating equity in Early Learning and Care and Governor Newsom’s signing of it into law sets California down a hopeful path for the future of its children.”
—Patricia Lozano, Executive Director, Early Edge California
The expansion of TK will occur over a four year period, beginning in the 2022-23 school year. For many districts, the need to expand the students served each year while also meeting the new classroom ratios may require additional facilities, a plan to communicate with parents about the changes, plans to ensure that staff obtain the qualifications needed to teach TK and more. Each section below contains helpful information to support districts as they develop an expanded, developmentally appropriate TK program.