California Transitional Kindergarten Case Study

Conclusion: Learning from Experience

The challenges in early learning—including access to high-quality programs, demand for a highly qualified and well compensated workforce, and effective use of all delivery methods—are not unique to California. As California districts and state agency leaders grapple with the policy choices and implementation challenges surrounding full expansion of TK, they will closely watch the experiences of other states. For those working toward attaining early childhood policy degrees, we believe this case offers a window into the interplay between funding streams, the crafting of public policy, the goals of equity and access issues, the balancing of multiple stakeholder perspectives, and the influence of policy leadership.