First Steps towards PreK-3^rd in California

A report from the New America Foundation shows how key state officials, early childhood advocates, and education reformers have taken critical first steps towards a seamless PreK-3^rd primary education system in California. Written by education reporter Linda Jacobsen, On the Cusp in California: How PreK-3^rd Strategies Could Improve Education in the Golden State will assist policymakers and advocates to focus on aligning high-quality PreK and full-day Kindergarten with high-quality, early elementary learning experiences through 3^rd Grade.

San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD)

The Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund partners with the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) to achieve its PreK-3^rd goals by:

• Supporting the development and implementation of the district’s PreK-3^rd plan which connects PreKs and elementary schools to provide a continuum of high-quality curriculum and instruction.
• Working with Stanford University's Center for Education Policy Analysis to implement common assessments to measure student progress from PreK-3^rd Grade.
• Working with the San Francisco School Alliance to align initiatives, redesign school structures and change work cultures within the district.

For more information read the SFUSD PreK-3^rd Fact Sheet. 

San Mateo County

The goal of Bridges to Success (BTS) is for all children in San Mateo County to receive aligned, high-quality early learning experiences from PreK-3^rd grade that will enable them to be proficient in reading and math at the end of Third Grade, and to develop the social, emotional and intellectual skills that will support their future success in school and in life.

Silicon Valley Community Foundation and First 5 San Mateo County are the lead agencies for BTS, and support three primary strategies:

1. Ready Schools: Teams of school district leaders and early childhood educators in eight communities working collaboratively towards PreK-3^rd alignment.
2. Ready Children: A summer transitional PreK program for children and families who have not had a high-quality PreK experience.
3. Ready Communities: Development of a School Readiness Specialization within the Child Development Department at the San Mateo Community College District; Kindergarten Readiness Assessment and Longitudinal Assessment; and Special Needs Advisory Committee.