EDUCATORS URGE SUPPORT FOR EARLY KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM

--Carla Rivera, LA Times/LA Now | http://lat.ms/xPHgUr

January 31, 2012 |  4:03 pm  ::  A group of California educators on Tuesday urged state lawmakers to maintain funding for a new kindergarten program for children with fall birthdays.

The status of the transitional kindergarten program was thrown into doubt when Gov. Jerry Brown proposed its elimination in his 2012-13 budget plan. Scrapping the program could save an estimated $224 million next year; the governor is attempting to close a nearly $9.2-billion budget deficit, state finance officials said.

But educators and preschool advocates said about 40,000 children could be barred from classrooms next fall if the program is eliminated, a number that could grow to 125,000 children over the next three years.

“We call on the governor and the California Legislature to swiftly reject this proposal,” said David Walrath, legislative advocate for the Small School Districts’ Assn., which represents superintendents from more 500 small and mid-sized districts.

The transitional kindergarten program is part of the 2010 Kindergarten Readiness Act -- signed by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger -- which requires that all children entering kindergarten turn 5 by Sept. 1, rather than the current Dec. 2 cutoff date.

The change will be phased in by moving the cutoff date a month earlier for three years, beginning in the fall. Under the legislation, youngsters who don't make the cutoff date would be eligible to attend the free transitional kindergarten program.

Many school districts had already made preliminary changes to begin implementing the program and are now in limbo. Other districts are planning to move forward.

“We’ve been delighted with the results of our transitional kindergarten pilot program over the past five years and have seen firsthand the tremendous benefits of giving our youngest students a smart start,” said Christopher J. Steinhauser, superintendent of the Long Beach Unified School District in a statement.

“Our students are making dramatic progress, especially in language and literacy and graduates are entering kindergarten with the confidence and love of learning that will follow them throughout their academic careers.”