大象传媒

Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK)

Research shows that when young children have a foundation of high-quality learning opportunities before kindergarten, they not only gain an advantage in school and in life, but also in brain development. Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) in California is intended to provide this foundation for all four-year-old children.

Background

The Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2010 made Transitional Kindergarten (TK) available for 4-year-olds turning 5 between September 2 and December 2. This legislation gave new support for these students, but it did not include younger children who didn't qualify for public preschool because of their age, and who weren't old enough yet to enroll in Kindergarten or a TK classroom.

The vision of UPK is to resolve this issue, providing equitable access to programs for all 4-year-olds, without regard to income. The state of California is devoting the funds to train staff and prepare school facilities in order to give our children equitable access to quality teachers and programs. UPK will begin with a rollout in fall of 2022 for some LEAs.

Planning Resources and Tools

The following list of resources may be helpful in supporting LEAs with Universal Prekindergarten planning while they envision, plan, and implement expanded PreK programs and movement towards a P-3 continuum. While it is not exhaustive, the list includes key online resources to highlight potential promising practices. These resources and tools were curated by the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA). The five tabs below are aligned with the five focus areas of the UPK Planning Template.

A. Vision

Family Engagement Network
Family Engagement Toolkit
Leading Pre K-3 Learning Communities - Executive Summary via NAESP.org
via CEELO
via CA Department of Education
Taking it to the Next Level: Strengthening and Sustaining Family Engagement through Integrated, Systemic Practice
via CA Department of Education
via CCSESA, 2015
via American Federation of Teachers

B. Community

Information for Families on Children's Early Development)
via Center for Early Literacy Learning
via CDE
via CDE
- Learn the Signs via CDC
via CDE

C. Workforce

Early Edge CA TK Workforce Recruitment and State Budget Information
(Videos to support professional learning)
UPK Teacher Pipeline Resource Compendium - Child Development via CDE

D. Curriculum

(SBE, 2019)
CA English Language Arts/English Language Development Framework, Chapter 3, TK–1 (SBE,2014)
California Preschool Program Guidelines
CA Science Framework: NGSS Transitional Kindergarten (SBE, 2016)
English Language Arts/English Language Development Framework (SBE, 2014)
Inclusion Works! Second Edition - Child Development (CA Dept of Education)
MTSS Framework
NAEYC: What is Anti-Bias Education?
Preschool English Learners 2nd Edition - Child Development (CA Dept of Education)
The Powerful Role of Play

E. Facilities

UPK Implementation Workgroup

The 大象传媒 hosts an ongoing, collaborative workgroup designed to support LEAs successfully roll out UPK in their communities. Meeting resources and future meeting dates are available below. For information about participating, please contact Yvonne Nelson, Coordinator, P-3 Alignment, Educational Services (contact information available in sidebar).