ERIC Number: EJ1468454
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-May
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0013-189X
EISSN: EISSN-1935-102X
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Transitional Kindergarten: The New Kid on the Early Learning Block
Jordan Berne1; Katia Córdoba García1; Brian A. Jacob1; Tareena Musaddiq2; Samuel Owusu1; Anna Shapiro3; Christina Weiland1
Educational Researcher, v54 n4 p177-187 2025
In recent years, several states have expanded a new publicly funded learning option: Transitional Kindergarten (TK). TK bridges prekindergarten and kindergarten in its eligibility, requirements, and design. Using Michigan as a case study, we examine TK's fit in the early learning landscape. Broadly, we find TK in Michigan reduces some socioeconomic gaps in early program enrollment while exacerbating others. Specifically, districts with more White and fewer economically disadvantaged students are more likely to offer TK. Among preschool-age children, noneconomically disadvantaged children are more likely to enroll in TK; among kindergarten-age children, take-up is similar by family income. Finally, some children enroll in TK instead of other public options, but there is no evidence that public slots decline overall.
Descriptors: Transitional Programs, School Readiness, Preschool Education, Kindergarten, Socioeconomic Status, Early Childhood Education, Preschool Children, Public Education, Program Development, Program Implementation, Program Evaluation
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education; Elementary Education; Kindergarten; Primary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Institute of Education Sciences (ED)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Michigan
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: R305B200011; R305B170015
Department of Education Funded: Yes
Author Affiliations: 1University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; 2Mathematica Policy Research, Princeton, NJ; 3RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA