Studies show the sooner kids start learning, the better prepared they are for life. The California Senate Democrats announced Tuesday that legislation that would ensure all 4-year-olds in the state have a chance to enroll in "transitional kindergarten."
The program would begin in the 2015-2016 school year and gradually expand. It would be implemented fully within five years at a total cost of just less than $1 billion.
Senate President pro temp Darrell Steinberg said the program is a good investment.
“I’m proud to call this wise-spending California. There are few better uses of the taxpayer dollars than investing in evidence based changed providing you people, 4-year-olds, the head start that they need," Steinberg said.
Assembly Democrats have also listed universal transitional kindergarten as a budget goal for the coming year.
However, the party will have to convince Gov. Jerry Brown, who’s pushing a message of moderate spending. He will announce his budget on Friday.
