Transitional Kindergarten Certificate of Achievement

This job skills certificate: will provide students with necessary knowledge for working in transitional kindergarten classrooms. The certificate of achievement courses will increase students’ knowledge base and increase the likelihood of success when working with young children. To achieve this job skills certificate: Upon completion of the required courses with at least a ‘C” grade or better in each course, the student will be awarded a Transitional Kindergarten Certificate of Achievement.

For Enrollment and Completion projections we plan to work with local Elementary schools to offer the program for teachers wishing to teach transitional kindergarten who do not have the 24 early childhood units. The department plans to offer fast track options so that teachers already working in the field can quickly complete the 24 units and attain their certificate of achievement. 

Since this legislation is new very few schools in California have a transitional kindergarten certificate.  This certificate will make current certificated elementary teachers and future elementary teachers eligible to teach transitional kindergarten classes.

The program is designed to meet the needs of the Elementary school community in the following legislation and for professional development. SB 876 Requirements for Transitional Kindergarten (T.K.) teachers. Pursuant to EC 48000(g), a school district or charter school shall ensure that credentialed teachers who are first assigned to a TK classroom after July 1, 2015, have, by August 1, 2020, must have at least 24 units in early childhood education, or childhood development. For Early childhood professionals in the field this certificate will serve as an option to fulfill required professional growth hours. 

The program requires 24 units there is no required sequence that students must take courses.