Message from the Chair:
The Speaker of the State Assembly, John A. Pérez, recently appointed me as Chair of the new Select Committee on High Quality Early Childhood Education.  Throughout this Legislative session, the Select Committee will work to address the disparity of children beginning school unprepared, causing the school readiness gap to grow and inevitably these same children falling and remaining behind their peers as they move through the educational system.  The overall goal of the select committee is to ensure California is providing the best early education possible for our young children.  The select committee will evaluate potential reforms to better prepare and engage our children academically.  Reforms today will save money long-term by helping to reduce the need for additional tutoring and by decreasing the number of school dropouts. 

I strongly believe that early childhood education should be accessible to all, that adequate funding should be provided, and that programs must provide quality education. Through the Select Committee, we can begin having the conversations on increasing the investment in high quality early education, which will generate a higher rate of return than any other public investment.

Committee Members:

• Susan A. Bonilla, Chair (D-11)
• Julia Brownley (D-41)
• Roger Hernández (D-57)
• Holly J. Mitchell (D-47)
• Jim Nielsen (R-2)
• Dr. Richard Pan (D-5)
• Henry T. Perea (D-31)
• David G. Valadao (R-30)

Background:
There have been countless studies and reports detailing the need to streamline early childhood education.  The reports have reached a consensus that children benefit from developmentally appropriate early academic programs, which set a foundation for school and life success.  Specifically, a 2009 report by the Bay Area Council concluded that "investments in high-quality educational experiences during the years from birth to age five significantly improve not only school achievement, but also a range of social and economic outcomes throughout life."

We must put an immediate halt to the trend of students leaving school without the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in college and in the workforce. The Bay Area Council report also highlighted that "parents, educators, and business leaders all agree that a well-educated, high-performing workforce is fundamental to maintaining the state's competitive advantage in the global economy."  Early Education programs return up to $7 for every dollar invested, and four decades of research show that it provides the foundation for building a strong workforce for future generations.

Upcoming Hearings:
Coming Soon...

Past Hearings:
Friday, April 1, 2011, 1:30pm
Transitional Kindergarten: Perspectives and Implementation Update
Council Chamber at the Concord Civic Center
1950 Parkside Drive
Concord, CA 94519

The Chair and Senator Joe Simitian (D-11) convened the first hearing of the Select Committee to discuss Transitional Kindergarten (TK).  The hearing was a success thanks to the extinguished panelists, who offered a constructive discussion on TK and its implementation.

Last year, the California Legislature passed and the Governor signed Senator Simitian's Senate Bill 1381, the Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2010.  SB 1381 phases-in the change of date a child is required to be admitted to kindergarten from December 2 to November 1 for the 2012-13 school year, October 1 of the 2013-14 school year, and September 1 for the 2014-15 school year and each year thereafter.  The bill also created the TK program for students impacted by the change in admission date. 

The Select Committee discussed TK and statewide efforts to assist districts in the implementation of TK.  The goal of the hearing was to learn from school districts that are "early implementers" and to gather perspectives on the implementation process, concerns, and challenges that districts may be experiencing.  

We were pleased and fortunate to have experts, directly from the field, to share their work on the implementation process; including representatives from Los Angeles Unified School District to give the large district perspective, Fresno County Office of Education with the rural perspective, and Rescue Union School District to share a small district experience.  The discussion was excellent and showed that those involved, with implementation, are dedicated and have worked continuous to ensure successful implementation.

From the hearing, we learned that:

• The California Department of Education developed a Frequently Asked Questions document to give guidance to school districts on TK.
• Preschool California and The David and Lucile Packard Foundation built an online resource for districts to use; www.tkcalifornia.org.
• Proponents of TK have helped to establish local TK symposiums that have taken place statewide and more are planned to educate and share best practices with school districts that are in the beginning phases of implementation.
• CSESA has identified a key contact person at each county office of education to provide technical assistance to districts.

To download the agenda, click here.

To download a copy of the hearing, click here.

Press:

• Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla credits the Bay Area Council for her interest in early childhood education
• Transitional Kindergarten planned for early 5-year-olds

Related Links:

• Bay Area Council: Key to Economic Success in the 21st Century: Investment in Early Childhood Programs.
• Preschool California
• Child Development Policy Institute