Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten

The Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2010 created TK, the first year of a two-year kindergarten experience that was initially available for students born between September and December. The Act also gradually changed the kindergarten entry date from December 2 to September 1, so all children would enter kindergarten at age five by 2014. 

In 2021, legislation was passed that requires any school district operating a kindergarten to also provide a TK program for all children who turn four years old by September 1 by the year 2025–26.

Education Code Section 48000(c) requires any school district operating a kindergarten to also provide a transitional kindergarten (TK) program for all four-year-old children by 2025–26. This means that every child whose fourth birthday occurs by September 1 has access to TK at a school district as a quality learning experience the year before kindergarten, regardless of background, race, zip code, immigration status, etc.

Starting in 2025–26, local educational agencies are required to make TK available to all children who will have their fourth birthday by September 1 (including this date) of the school year.

No. Children are not required to attend TK.

California Education Code (EC) Section 48000 defines TK as the first year of a two-year kindergarten program that uses a curriculum that is age and developmentally appropriate and based on California Preschool/Transitional Kindergarten Learning Foundations (PTKLF) and California Preschool Curriculum Frameworks. While no state curriculum is mandated, pursuant to EC Section 48000(f) TK programs are intended to be aligned to the California PTKLF developed by the CDE.