more articles like this

Transitional Kindergarten
updated: Sep 14, 2012, 7:53 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

"I read an article on Noozhawk about several schools starting Transitional Kindergarten programs this year with more starting next year.

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 320214	2012-09-14 08:21 PM
Yes, it's on their website.
COMMENT 320219	2012-09-14 08:30 PM
Goleta Unified has it.
COMMENT 320239P	2012-09-14 09:13 PM
Be aware that it's only for kids with birthdays in November, and eventually September through November. In Goleta schools, it's done as a combo class with the K class. The expectation is that some fraction of the kids will be "skipped" and go on to 1st grade the following year, since kids with those birthdays have been in kindergarten in previous years.
COMMENT 320259P	2012-09-14 10:53 PM
My daughter attends Peabody. They told us last year they would be starting transitional kindergarten this year, just for November birthdays (Nov 2-Dec 2). Next year, it includes October too. I can't find the information on the school's present website (which is new and unfinished) but I did find it on the school district's website. Here is the link, if it posts http://www.sbsdk12.org/programs/TK/index.shtml My daughter is a November birthday, and started K when she was 4. For her, it was fine, so I guess she would be one of the ones "skipped" to 1st grade. I think it will be a good program as long as it doesn't hold kids back who are really ready to go. She was chomping at the bit to start reading at 4. One of her Kindergarten classmates struggled, returned to pre-school, started K again the following year, and he's done well in school ever since.
COMMENT 320376	2012-09-15 10:12 AM
Knowing how to read at 4 is wonderful. But folks, kindergarten and first grade are A LOT more than just learning how to read. There are all of the components of socialization to consider as well. Then there is the issue of maturity. The idea of the Transitional Kindergarten was originally designed to have a place for children whose birthdays were in Sept., Oct., Nov., and Dec. and were not fully 5 years old by the start of school. It was not intended to be a "I get to skip Kindergarten because I can already read" program.
COMMENT 320585P	2012-09-15 07:14 PM
Excuse me, my daughter was not reading at 4, I said she was ready to learn at 4 (and 3/4's) nor did she skip Kindergarten. The cut-off date for school entry was turning 5 by Dec 1st. She started in September and turned 5 in November, finished the year and moved onto 1st grade. Transitional Kindergarten will have some of these younger kids repeat Kindergarten for a second year--it is this second year that some kids will "skip." Repeating K would not have been good for my daughter. We considered holding her back, asked two friends who are Kindergarten and 1st grade teachers: one said, definitely, the other said, maybe, maybe not, being held back when you're ready to go can be problematic, too. So we tried it out, and she did great, academically, socially and emotionally, is in 5th grade now, and has continued to do great, so I believe it's clear at this point that it was good she started when she did. As I pointed out previously, another student in her class benefitted from waiting, so in my experience it varies from child to child.
COMMENT 320612P	2012-09-15 11:08 PM
The kindergarten cut off date for all should be at least Sept 1st. I have never understood the rush. Give them the gift of time to mature, especially boys(Sorry guys it's just the way it is). These are the most important years. The foundation is set in these first years of school. If transitional K is not available find an enriching pre-K program. All kids "want to learn" they are sponges. It is offensive to say my 4 year old "wanted to learn" so we sent her to Kindergarten. I don't think being the youngest in the class has advantages, especially in high school. Children should be involved in programs that foster their growth at all ages. I always interpret " she really needed to start school, she is so advanced" as "I can't wait to have someone else watch my kid for a few hours"
COMMENT 320675	2012-09-16 09:16 AM
Peabody is not offering TK. If you are in Peabody zone and your child qualifies for TK (turns five between 9/1 and 12/2), your child can enroll in the Adams TK program. I know this because we are doing just that. In the SBSD if you have a child turning 5 in Sept or Oct this year, you could choose TK or K (Nov. birthdays only have the choice of TK). Each school is different too. Some have combined TK/K classes, some are just TK (which is the case at Adams). My child is a Nov. birthday and will start K next year at Peabody after doing TK at Adams (which is a mix of Peabody/Adams zoned students). I'd call your school and the district (they are all offering something different) EARLY and OFTEN to find out answers as we were given quite a bit of misinformation regarding the program from all channels when trying to enroll.
COMMENT 321514	2012-09-18 12:50 PM
612P, thank you for your candor. One could also add, I can hardly wait to brag how advanced my child is starting kindergarten so early. Hot-housed children and their helicopter parents crash more often than soar. Plus teachers will have one more blessed year of relief not having to deal with from these hyper-hovering parents as well.
COMMENT 321666	2012-09-18 07:53 PM
612P, I always interpret "I'm going to keep my kid away from school until he's more mature" as "I need to hide his bruises so I don't go to jail."

40% of comments on this page were made by Edhat Community Members.