Dear County and District Superintendents and Charter School Administrators:

Celebrating Universal Transitional Kindergarten and Reminder of Expectations

As we approach the 2025–26 school year, the California Department of Education (CDE) is excited to celebrate a significant milestone in early childhood education: the final stage in expansion toward Universal Transitional Kindergarten (UTK) to include all four-year-old children across California. This ambitious initiative marks a historic moment for our state’s commitment to providing high-quality educational opportunities from an early age.

By the start of the 2025–26 school year, every four-year-old child will have access to Transitional Kindergarten (TK), regardless of background, race, zip code, immigration status, or income level. Under California Education Code Section 48000, any school district that offers kindergarten is required to also offer TK and comply with the TK requirements, such as adult-to-student ratio, class size, and teacher credentialing. This requirement includes basic aid districts, which primarily rely on local property tax revenue to fund their Local Control Funding Formula entitlement.

The vast majority of school districts and charter schools have embraced TK and are working hard on implementation of UTK, because early learning is the most effective strategy to close the socioeconomic achievement gap and helps build a strong school community by connecting families to their local schools, starting with four-year-olds.

As you prepare for this expansion, the CDE encourages you to focus on ensuring that your facilities are appropriate to accommodate the developmental needs of four-year-olds. Additionally, districts should engage with local communities to raise awareness about the availability and benefits of UTK. To support the successful implementation of UTK, the CDE will continue to provide resources and guidance, including assistance with fostering equity-grounded emotional relationships with students and families, incorporating playful learning across the preschool through third grade continuum, workforce development, and community outreach. We are committed to working closely with all districts to ensure that every child has access to high-quality early learning opportunities.

Thank you for your dedication to providing exceptional educational experiences for California’s children. Together, we can make a lasting impact on their future success.

Sincerely,

Tony Thurmond
State Superintendent of Public Instruction