California is making big investments in preschool. But what about when preschoolers get to kindergarten and beyond? Researchers warn that California districts continue to struggle to align pre-K programs with early elementary grades, to make sure that students build on the progress they make before kindergarten.
A
new report
from Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE)
finds that many districts aren't working at coordinating curriculum, standards and teachers' professional development from pre-K through 3rd grade. Those that are doing this work have found many barriers - different licensing requirements for pre-K versus elementary schools, and different salaries, job expectations, and multiple funding streams, among other obstacles.
The authors recommend the state offer incentives for districts to work on alignment, require training in early childhood education in order to receive an administrative credential, and streamline pre-K licensing requirements.
They also recommend that school districts train elementary principals on early childhood, align curriculum and assessments across pre-K to third grade, ensure pre-K teachers have regular opportunities to collaborate and participate with K-3 teachers, offer pre-K directors a significant position in the district, and include pre-K when discussing budget priorities.
I
s your district working on connecting pre-K with kindergarten through 3rd grade?
Email me
with your ideas and comments.
Zaidee Stavely
Early Education Reporter,
EdSource
