Gov. Gavin Newsom announced this week that California has completed its statewide expansion of transitional kindergarten, making free TK available to every 4-year-old as millions of students return to classrooms for the new school year.
The expansion, which began several years ago, makes California home to the largest pre-K system in the nation and is expected to save families an average of nearly $14,000 per child each year, according to the governor's office.
"California is proving what’s possible with historic investments in the next generation," Newsom said in a statement. "Free TK for every 4-year-old. Free meals at school. Expanded after-school programs. More child care, mental health support, more help learning to read. We made a big investment in our
kids, and it’s paying off."
Universal TK expansion reaches every 4-year-old
California enrolled 213,313 children in transitional kindergarten during the 2024-25 school year. The state has invested $12.5 billion since 2019 to fully implement the program.
Universal TK began its multiyear expansion in 2021 under Assembly Bill 130, an education budget trailer bill that established a plan to fund and implement the program statewide.
State officials say the program benefits both children and families, giving children an earlier start while helping parents reduce the cost of early care and education.
California TK students entered kindergarten approximately six months ahead in letter-word skills and three months ahead in applied mathematics, according to data cited by the governor's office.
Families are not required to enroll their children in TK, but the program is available at all California school districts and charter schools. Under the law, children who turn 4 by Sept. 1 are eligible to enroll in transitional kindergarten.
California expands support beyond the classroom
The program is part of a broader state effort to expand early learning and provide additional support to students and families.
California also provides before- and after-school and summer programming for students in TK through sixth grade through the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program. The state provided $4.6 billion in ongoing funding for the program in 2025-26.
State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond said California has made progress in creating conditions that help students learn and succeed but emphasized that more work remains.
"Our responsibility now is to make sure these investments translate into meaningful opportunities and stronger outcomes for every student in every community," Darling-Hammond said. "That means creative leadership and community engagement, high-quality teaching and learning, strong relationships, and attention to student well-being and the supports that enable young people to fully participate in their education."
State boosts funding for student support
California's TK expansion comes as the state continues to invest in other school-based programs, including free meals, literacy support, mental health services, and resources for students with disabilities.
The state has served nearly 3.5 billion free school meals through its Universal Meals Program and has invested $4.7 billion in children's mental health services, the governor's office said.
California also has increased K-12 special education funding by $2.4 billion, a 43% increase, and expanded literacy efforts to reach 2.6 million students in TK through fifth grade.
More than 800 high-need elementary schools now have literacy coaches and reading specialists, the governor's office said.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: California expands free TK to all 4-year-olds statewide
