Kindergarten Transition White Paper Highlights Regional Efforts

Trying Together has released a white paper titled “Kindergarten Transition” that includes research on transition activities, possible policy opportunities, and recommendations to support effective kindergarten transition. 

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The transition from pre-k to kindergarten is a critical point in the lives of young children and their families. However, during the 2021-2022 school year, 78% of three-year-olds and 65% of four-year-olds in Pennsylvania did not have access to a pre-k program. 

As a result, kindergarten was likely many families’ first entry into the school system as well as the first opportunity for some children to engage with classroom routines and socialization on a larger scale.

Recommendations were made for state elected officials and local school district administrators. Some of these recommendations included:

• Requiring local transition teams

• Providing guidance on how to leverage funds

• Encouraging data sharing

• Advocating for full-day kindergarten

• Including parents and guardians in the transition process

• Ensuring high-quality, developmentally appropriate kindergarten

• Showing support for local pre-k and child care providers in providing pre-k

• Strengthening relationships and collaboration between early childhood programs and elementary schools

• Emphasizing culturally responsive practices

• Rethinking the possibility of school readiness

Learn more about Trying Together’s mission of supporting equitable access to a strong kindergarten transition for all children across the region by reading the “Kindergarten Transition” white paper.

Trying Together has joined the Allegheny Intermediate Unit and the United Way of Southwestern PA in a partnership known as Hi5!, which focuses on engaging all 43 public school districts in Allegheny County to develop and implement kindergarten transition plans.