California's Universal Prekindergarten Implementation Progress, 2023-24

Abstract

California made a historic commitment to early childhood education in 2021 by providing universal prekindergarten (UPK) for all 4-year-olds by 2025-26 and expanding access for income-eligible 3-year-olds. California's UPK initiative includes multiple early learning programs, including transitional kindergarten (TK), the California State Preschool Program (CSPP), Head Start, and other early learning programs such as private preschools and family child care. The state's investments in UPK present an opportunity for local education agencies (LEAs) to plan and implement early education programming that aligns with research-based elements of high-quality preschool. To support UPK expansion, California's legislature and administration established the Universal Prekindergarten Planning and Implementation Grant, which allocated a total of $500 million to all LEAs serving kindergarteners. The California Department of Education surveyed all grant recipients in August 2024 about their UPK programs. This report provides an update on UPK implementation across the state through an analysis of survey responses from 1,506 LEAs--excluding county offices of education--which represent almost all (98%) public school districts and two thirds (69%) of charter schools that serve elementary grades. Findings provide insights into LEAs' progress in universal TK expansion, including access to TK, TK classroom models, facility needs, instruction and assessment, strategies to support student needs, staffing, and professional development. Findings additionally shed light on LEA progress in UPK implementation outside of TK expansion, including service delivery models for non-TK programs, CSPP and Head Start staffing, professional development for school leaders, funding challenges, and technical assistance needs. [Additional funding provided by Kelson Foundation.]