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San Marcos Unified to expand TK learning
KINDERGARTNERS at Double Peak Elementary School participate in a snowman-making activity in January. This fall, San Marcos Unified School District begins a multiyear expansion of its transitional kindergarten program, allowing younger students to enroll. Courtesy photo
San Marcos Unified launches TK expansion process this fall
District plans to increase eligibility over next 3 years
By Laura Place
SAN MARCOS — New state eligibility requirements will allow more children this fall to enter transitional kindergarten in the San Marcos Unified School District, which plans to steadily increase eligibility over the next three years to achieve the state’s goal of universal early education.
While the district’s transitional kindergarten program was open only to children who turn age five by December 2, the age cutoff for this school year now extends to February 2.
The eligibility window will gradually widen each year until fall 2025 when all four-year-olds can enroll in transitional kindergarten in San Marcos Unified.
While some families may opt to keep their children in private preschools or at home until they are ready for kindergarten, the state-mandated change offers a cost-free alternative for many families seeking free early childhood education.
With this expanded eligibility, transitional kindergarten enrollment for the 2022-23 school year across the district’s 10 elementary and K-8 schools has increased from last year by around 30%, or 83 students, according to district spokeswoman Amy Ventetuolo.
However, this number is subject to change until school begins in mid-August and sites see how many students attend.
“We’re expecting a little bit of an increase, but who knows — with TK or K, we don’t really know for sure until the school year starts,” said Deputy Superintendent Tiffany Campbell. “Anyone who wants to be here, we expect to see them.”
The California Department of Education announced this timeline for the gradual expansion of transitional kindergarten last year, mandating it for all school districts in the state that offer kindergarten.
While transitional kindergarten is not compulsory, it can provide early learners with valuable preparation for kindergarten and first grade, combining foundations from preschool and kindergarten. By making it available for free through public schools, state leaders hope to expand these opportunities to more children, especially those not already enrolled in other early education programs like private preschools.
“Depending on where they are, the entrance into kindergarten could be jumping into cold water, or it could be a smoother transition. Kids learn how to share, learn how to work together, all of those things. It’s a lot of those intangibles that you don’t even think about, that you think they just know how to do, but they are taught,” Campbell said. “There’s a lot of social skills building, but also getting them ready for word recognition and numbers sense. All elements to prepare them for their compulsory first-grade education.”
San Marcos parent Sandra Michel said her four-year-old daughter is at a stage in her development where she would benefit greatly from a transition-
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