There are 77 students in Manteca Unified kindergarten classes that tested last month as being proficient in English.

They came from households where English was not the primary language that is spoken.

Turn back the calendar to last school year.

That’s when those 77 students were among over a hundred Manteca Unified transitional kindergartener 4 year-olds that were identified when they were enrolled by their parents as not being proficient in English.

Today, 43 percent of  those students met or exceeded English proficiency when they were tested as kindergartners.

MUSD Assistant Superintendent Victoria Brunn views that as a major accomplishment.

It underscores the effectiveness of the district being at the forefront of the transitional kindergarten (TK) movement in California.

TK enrollment is not mandatory although Sacramento has made it mandatory that school districts make it an available option starting this school year for all students who will turn 4 years old by Sept. 1.

The state doesn’t mandate school attendance of any sort until a child is 6 years old.

Manteca Unified opted to start its TK program in August 2022.

As such, Brunn said MUSD is constantly being contacted by nearby districts for advice on how best to implement TK.

“Highly efficient practices learned from skilled (TK teachers) is clearly impactful on preparing students to learn,” Brunn said.

Brunn notes the foundation it provides allows for more effective absorption and mastering of education objectives and standards as students make their way through the K-12 system.

And such, that means the $12,000 plus that California spends in an average year to educate a public school student is paying for more effective outcomes.

TK, unlike kindergarten, relies on play-based learning much like effective preschools.

It also emphasizes social-emotional development.

That means when students enter kindergarten where there is an academic focus with structured lessons in reading, writing, and math there are a higher percentage that are ready to learn.

The decision for MUSD to get a head start on implementing the state mandated TK program with voluntary attendance also reflects the realties the 25,678 student district is dealing with.

*67.3 percent of all students are identified as being socially-economic disadvantaged based on one or more of the following: having a parent that did not graduate from high school, being a migrant, unstable housing conditions, family receiving some form of government assistance, being an English as a Second Language leaner, or being part of low income household.

*There are 5,201 English as a Second Language learners.

*Foster children that number 140.

This school year, there are 1,034 TK students enrolled.

Four years ago, there were none.

“(MUSD) essentially added an entire grade level this year,” Brunn said.

The ongoing remodeling effort, financed by local schools bonds, has created space for TK and kindergarten that meets state standards.

The two new elementary schools in the design phase that are on track to open in 2027 will have early education classrooms clusters with secured playgrounds.

Standard classrooms in California are 960 square feet.

TK and kindergarten are 1,350 square feet. They also must include their own restrooms with age scales plumbing features  such as toilets and sinks.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com