Here are some facts about the Carpinteria school board’s decision last week to eliminate Transitional Kindergarten (a new, early kindergarten program for 4-year-olds in California public schools) for approximately 28 children who have spring birthdays.
Last February, Carpinteria elementary principals, preschool directors, and the superintendent told these 28 families that their kids could enroll in Transitional Kindergarten (TK) in fall 2016 due to a change in the rules. These families, on the guidance of school leaders, spent hours attending doctor’s appointments, meeting with teachers and touring schools, all to formally enroll for TK.
At no point did the Carpinteria Unified School District's board (CUSD)tell parents that this new deadline was “pending.” Now, with just weeks before school starts, 28 families are scrambling to find childcare because they already gave up their child’s preschool spot. (Families affected by this change can appeal the decision by writing a letter to the board.)