EARLY LEARNING MATTERS: INTRODUCING UTK IN MUSD
Beginning in August, Manteca Unified will implement a new early education program – Universal Transitional Kindergarten (UTK)! Decades of research demonstrate that an early and strong foundation for learning matters. Children who have effective learning opportunities before kindergarten have an advantage in school and in life over children who do not, especially children with adverse early childhood experiences. As a result, California’s 2021–22 State Budget committed major funding investments to expand both transitional kindergarten and the state preschool program! Due to this financial commitment from the state, Manteca Unified will introduce the state’s Universal Transitional Kindergarten program through phases over the next four years – meaning more students will be eligible for the program each school year. By 2025/26, all four-year-old children in Manteca Unified boundaries will be eligible for UTK! UTK is an optional program which provides self and social development opportunities for younger children who are not yet age-appropriate for traditional TK programs. The long-term goal of Universal Transitional Kindergarten is to ensure every four-year-old child – regardless of background, race, immigration status, or income level – has access to a quality learning
experience the year before kindergarten. MUSD will host the program at six identified high-needs schools during the 2022/23 school year and will expand the program to include more students each year. When implemented in the classroom, UTK is will offer full-day learning opportunities in a play-based environment. Children will practice early literacy skills, though the program is not designed to teach kindergarten curriculum a year early. The program is different from traditional TK programs in a few key ways: younger children are eligible for UTK, transportation is provided to the UTK student’s host site in accordance with MUSD Board Policy 3540, and there are full-day learning opportunities available. For more information about UTK or how to register for transitional kindergarten programs offered through MUSD, visit www.mantecausd.net/registration today!