Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/58727
Anselmo Feliciano points out letters and numbers on the board to Aida Herrera at Burnett Elementary in Long Beach. "We were very excited about transitional kindergarten being mandated, because we were the ones that kept pushing for a change in the kindergarten age," says Vogel. "Something had to happen to accommodate students who wouldn't be allowed to start school, and having a place for them in transitional kin- dergarten was perfect. But the gover- nor's budget seems to be threatening TK, and we're certainly going to push back on that. The governor is not putting these conditions on TK because it's the right thing to do. It's really about figuring out how to manage limited resources." schooling for students enrolled in a two-year kindergarten. Preschool California asserts that schools could lose WHAT IS THE COST? The Legislative Analyst's Office estimates the state would save $700 million each year that it would have normally spent on kindergarten classes that include 4-year-olds. However, if TK classes were mandated, there would be no immediate cost to taxpayers, since funds used now to pay for 4-year-olds in kindergarten would simply be redirected. However, there would be a cost in 13 years, because the state would eventually pay for an additional year of public You can't rush maturity. But you can fill in some holes that may be there by providing more building blocks and basics that are really important with a child's ability to perform in school. RUTHIE FAGERSTROM $1 billion in ADA funding by eliminating TK, and that having TK statewide could actually save money by reducing the number of children who end up in more expensive special education classes or repeating grades. "In the long run, there wi l l be significant cost savings to the state," asserts Preschool California. "Children will be better prepared to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. California's economy will be strengthened by a well-educated, globally competitive workforce." Then there's the emotional cost of pushing youngsters beyond their readiness levels, which can be damaging to students and teachers, says CTA Board member George Melendez, a longtime kindergarten teacher in Palmdale. "You have kindergarten teachers teaching students read- ing, writing and math, when kids come in unable to hold a pencil, use scissors or know their letters or numbers," he says. "Transitional kindergarten is more developmentally story continued on page 14 12 California Educator / March 2012