The Santa Barbara Unified School district’s board of education reviewed and approved a staff proposal to implement a transitional kindergarten (TK) program. In accordance with recent changes in the California Education Code, TK will provide a bridge between preschool and kindergarten for children turning five years old between September 1 and December 2. It gives young learners a head start and provides them with an opportunity to learn and grown in an environment that is tailored to meet their needs.
 
TK is part of the public school system and it is free for families. TK uses a unique, specialized curriculum that is based on the kindergarten standards and is designed to support young five-year-olds.
 
TK is taught by credentialed teachers with extra training to teach young kindergarteners.
 
The program will be phased in starting in the fall of 2012. According to Dr. Cynthia White, the district’s director of curriculum and categorical programs, “TK is an opportunity to provide the early foundations for school success. It provides the first year of a two-year kindergarten experience. TK provides an important opportunity to give our youngest kindergarteners a better start in school.”