Kindergarten Gets a Makeover

At their meeting Tuesday night, the Burlingame School District Board of Trustees will discuss the implementation of a new transitional kindergarten program in the 2012-2013 school year and an overall restructuring of kindergarten in the district.

Burlingame school officials introduced a new kindergarten structure at their Oct. 11 meeting, one that will push the 5-year-old birthday deadline for admission from Dec. 2 to Sept. 1 over the next three years.

The change comes as the result of Senate Bill 1381, which allows for gradual implementation. Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, the deadline for turning 5 for kindergarten admission is Nov. 1, then Oct. 1 for the 2013-2014 school year and finally Sept. 1 for the 2014-2015 year, said Asst. Superintendent Jud Kempson.

The bill also requires schools provide a transitional kindergarten class for students who would have been admitted to regular kindergarten, but are now delayed.

"It's optional [for parents], but mandatory for us to provide it," Kempson said. "Essentially, we're adding another grade."

The focus of Tuesday’s discussion is the formation of a transitional program for the 2012-2013 school year, during which children must turn five by Nov. 1 for kindergarten enrollment. The district has the option of creating a class for children with birthdays between Nov. 1 and Dec. 2 as mandated by the state, or accelerating the process to include those with birthdays as early as Oct. 1 or Sept. 1.

The board members face the task of finding the right teachers, sites and curriculum for the program, while maintaining class sizes of 27 to 1, the same as current kindergarten classes.

According to study session documents, Burlingame school district staff recommends providing transitional kindergarten for children with birthdays between Nov. 1 and Dec. 2 while making the option available to children with birthdays from Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, as well. Staff also recommends classes take place at and elementary schools, with students returning to their home schools for regular kindergarten.

The goal behind the bill is to give younger students time for further emotional and academic development before beginning traditional kindergarten, Kempson said.

California is one of just four states with a cut-off date later than Dec. 1. Government officials feel the bill allows more time for children to become better prepared for kindergarten.

The trustees will also discuss restructuring the kindergarten program, including class size reduction, all day kindergarten and elimination of the early bird and late bird options.

The Burlingame School District Board of Trustees meets at 7 p.m. at 1825 Trousdale Drive.