Providing students learning experiences that are developed from multiple content areas allows them to engage in more authentic experiences that are easier to connect to their interests and identity. Integrated learning experiences allow students to enter into the learning experience through the content that they are familiar with and then build skills across the integrated curriculum.
As universal prekindergarten (UPK) grows across the county, one of our foci is how UPK aligns with high-quality instruction on elementary campuses. By integrating content areas in early learning, students build a strong foundation in knowing that learning happens in an organic, holistic manner. Students learn to transfer skills from one subject to another without having to wonder if it is okay to use their mathematics thinking outside of math time. This allows students to move through Prekindergarten to grade 3 (P-3) with a larger toolbox of learning strategies across the school day.
Crystal Starr and Mark Alcorn from the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) have been developing tools to support classroom teachers and resource teachers to integrate mathematics and science content for our youngest students. By integrating mathematics and science, teachers can build a daily schedule that more efficiently incorporates both content areas. They will be offering a one-day workshop where participants will identify strategies that they can use for integrating math and science in their classroom.
For more information about the Aug. 3 or Aug. 4 (repeat session) Integrating Math and Science for P-3 workshop, or to register, please click the link for the day you wish to attend.
Your partners in education,
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Cognitively Guided Instruction professional learning enhances teachers’ knowledge about children’s mathematical thinking and how to use this knowledge to design instruction.
Young children bring rich, intuitive understandings of mathematics with them into early childhood classrooms. This three-day institute will explore the power of young children’s thinking and the ways instructional activities (such as counting collections) can elicit and build from children’s natural brilliance.
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New TK Resource Guide for Families, Educators
SDCOE created a resource guide on transitional kindergarten (TK). It contains a helpful question and answer section for families with an eligible-age student and resources for future and current TK teachers. The language may be useful for sharing with prospective students and your school community as we continue the work to add a grade level and align preschool through grade 3.
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The P-3 in Partnership Podcast |
The P-3 in Partnership podcast is designed to support educators around prekindergarten to 3rd grade. The goal is to build excitement around the opportunities a cohesive P-3 system can have for our young learners. Whether you are new to P-3 or a veteran educator, this podcast is for you!
In Episode 5, listen to hosts Julia Bridi and Erin Dare as they have a conversation around transition and articulation plans. Both plans help to share the learning and brilliance of each and every child as they move to their receiving educators. Happy listening!
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2022-23
Student Phase-In (EC 48000)
5th birthday between Sept. 2 and Feb. 2
Teacher-to-Student Ratios (EC 48000)
1:12
Credentialing Requirements (EC 48000)
Additional TK credentialing requirements in place by August 2023
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2023-24
Student Phase-In
5th birthday between Sept. 2 and April 2
Teacher-to-Student Ratios
1:10 (contingent on funding)
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2024-25
Student Phase-In
5th birthday between Sept. 2 and June 2
Teacher-to-Student Ratios
1:10 (contingent on funding)
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2025-26
Student Phase-In
4th birthday by Sept. 1
Full implementation
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Share Your P-3 Program
The SDCOE P-3 Design team is looking for school sites interested in providing the team with tours of their P-3 programs. If you would like us to learn about your program or interested in designing a long-term P-3 plan within your program, please complete this interest form.
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P-3 Administrator Institute
Investigate powerful P-3 practices! The SDCOE P-3 team invites district and school administrators to a two-day institute where participants will develop and explore their P-3 system. This institute provides intentional, in-depth time for participants to examine their current strengths and opportunities within their P-3 system in order to make actionable and relevant site-based changes. This exciting opportunity will foster learning, collaboration, and action-planning to build a cohesive P-3 continuum. Come and leverage county partners in this exciting work. Please access the July 12-13 or Aug. 1-2 registration links to learn more.
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Early Education Professional Development Catalog
SDCOE offers a number of professional development opportunities on a variety of topics for preschool, infant/toddler teachers and administrators, and family child care providers. The workshops are intentionally offered to align to program quality goals and build upon existing skills. Check out the Early Education Professional Development catalog to explore how the workshops are differentiated by levels of expertise and target audience.
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P-3 Alignment Network
Join the SDCOE P-3 team for the last network convening for the 2022-23 school year. Learn and network with educators from across the county. Register to join the network.
This meeting will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on May 17.
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UPK Plan Revision Workshops
This session will highlight the key changes to the revised 2022-23 template and provide on-the-spot guidance on what to expect when the UPK reporting survey is released. As a result of the newly revised planning template, local educational agencies and charter schools will be required to provide information to the California Department of Education via survey this summer.
This workshop will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. May 18.
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Local Planning Council Membership
The San Diego County Child Care and Development Local Planning Council advises the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and county superintendent of schools about child care and early education needs in San Diego County. The council is funded by the California Department of Social Services.
It only takes about five hours a month to identify and guide policies that affect children and families in San Diego County. View an informational flyer about these meetings, which are held in person at the SDCOE main campus located at 6401 Linda Vista Road in San Diego, typically during weekday office hours.
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Expanded Learning Opportunities Program 2023-24 Reminder
The Expanded Learning Opportunities program provides funding for after school and summer school enrichment programs for kindergarten (including transitional kindergarten) through 6th grade as described in California Education Code Section 46120. Commencing with the 2023-24 school year, local educational agencies shall be subject to an audit to determine compliance with specific program requirements (Education Code Section 46120(c)(1)). An audit guide is expected soon. For additional information, please reference this Education Code. |
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Setting the Foundation to Support Our Youngest Learners
Join the virtual, two-part training series to set a strong foundation on brain development and why it matters, explore the importance of relationships, developmentally appropriate expectations, and instructional strategies. This training is geared to support expanded learning staff members in ASES, 21CCLC, and Expanded Learning Opportunities programs. Find more information and register for Setting the Foundation to Support Our Youngest Learners.
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Getting Started With Transitional Kindergarten (TK)
The SDCOE P-3 Team is offering a professional learning session to support educators with Transitional Kindergarten (TK) classes on their sites. This accelerated session will provide a high-level overview on what to expect in TK classrooms.
Participants will learn:
- 4-year-old brain research
- Creating space that supports a 4-year-old
- Play-based learning
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Guided Language Acquisition Design (GLAD®)
GLAD® is an instructional model for TK-12 that supports the vision of the California English Learner Roadmap policy by strengthening educational programs and practices for English learners. Project GLAD® supports the implementation of integrated and designated English language development. This model provides full and meaningful access to an education that results in attaining high levels of language proficiency and mastery of grade-level standards. Visit the SDCOE Project GLAD® website for learning opportunities for both teachers and administrators.
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Supporting the Transition to Elementary School — A Critical Strategy to Strengthen P-3 Alignment
The California Department of Education is providing a webinar that will help LEAs, community-based organizations, and their partners understand the importance of the transition to elementary school and how to transition strategies and alignment of practices across prekindergarten and the elementary grades to support children’s long-term success. Register today for the May 23rd webinar. |
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UPK Planning and Implementation Grant Expenditure Report 2 |
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New
The UPK Planning and Implementation Grant Expenditure Report 2 Survey for local educational agencies and county offices of education is available. The purpose of this required report is to collect the expenditure data required for these grants.
Charter schools that have informed the California Department of Education (CDE) of their intent to return these funds are not required to submit this report.
Allowable costs include, but are not limited to:
- Planning costs
- Hiring and recruitment costs
- Staff training and professional development
- Classroom materials
- Supplies
Helpful Resources
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Faculty and Staff Professional Learning Opportunities
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SDCOE's grant team keeps an updated list of grant opportunities based on topic. For more information about grant opportunities and applying for grants visit the SDCOE Grants webpage.
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This newsletter is designed to support the efforts, alignment, and implementation of universal prekindergarten to 3rd grade in San Diego County. It provides local educational agencies with the most up-to-date information pertaining to the implementation of universal transitional kindergarten as it relates to CDE requirements.
Our goal at SDCOE is to gather and share the most current and relevant content for the implementation of UPK and establish a network across San Diego County to support education leaders as they work to establish and create a new grade level.
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Get up-to-the-minute information about what's happening at SDCOE and in our districts across the county. |
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