On September 30, 2010, Governor
Schwarzenegger signed SB 1381 (Simitian, Steinberg) the
Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2010, enacting a historic reform that
will help ensure that 120,000 more California children each year
are better prepared to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. The
legislation creates transitional kindergarten, the first year of a
two-year kindergarten experience for those students who are born
between September and December. SB 1381 also changes the
kindergarten entry date in California from December 2 to September
1, so children enter kindergarten at age 5.
The Fresno County Office of Education
received a grant of $175,000 from The David and Lucille Packard
Foundation to facilitate the design of a model transitional
kindergarten program for schools in Fresno County. FCOE is
developing a strategic plan for the implementation of transitional
kindergarten programs across the county designed to better prepare
our youngest students for success in school. The plan shall
be collaboratively designed by participants in the Transitional
Kindergarten Professional Learning Community and be well supported
for easy implementation in the 2011-2012 school year should a
district choose to open transitional kindergarten classes in the
fall of 2011.
Materials on this website will be useful in
the effort to meet the new legislated intent of SB1381 and
ultimately ensure a brighter future for Fresno County’s
youngest learners. If you have any questions, please contact
Dr. Michele Copher at (559) 265-4036 or Wilma Hashimoto at (559)
497-3808.
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