Transitional Kindergarten (TK)

Program Description

The Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Certificate of Achievement program is designed to prepare students who are interested in becoming Transitional Kindergarten teachers with the necessary Early Childhood Education units required by the Department of Education to fulfill the requirements of the position. This specialization option under the Child Development Department provides comprehensive knowledge of the California Preschool Learning Foundations and Frameworks as well as instruction in effective behavior management strategies, for working with children from diverse cultural backgrounds, and knowledge of how to create quality curriculum and environments for young children. This program is designed both for credentialed teachers who want to earn the Early Childhood Education units necessary to qualify as a transitional Kindergarten teacher and for current preschool teachers who want to deepen their understanding of the Preschool Foundations and Frameworks.

A Certificate of Achievement will be awarded upon successful completion of the courses specified below. The program can be completed in two semesters.

Career Opportunities

Based on all available data, there appears to be an undersupply of Transitional Kindergarten Teachers compared to the demand for this cluster of occupations in the Bay region. The gap is about 838 students annually in the Bay region. The career opportunities for teachers with an elementary teaching credential expands to Transitional Kindergarten teacher with the addition of 24 Child Development units. The following SOC codes are relevant to this program: 399011 Childcare Workers 252011 Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education 252051 Special Education Teachers, Preschool 119031 Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare Center/Program 251081 Education Teachers, Postsecondary 259041 Teacher Assistants

Learning Outcome(s)

1. Identify, evaluate and develop developmentally and culturally appropriate practices and curriculum for preschool aged children.
2. Expand on knowledge and ability to work with diverse children, families and communities
3. Communicate effectively orally, and in writing on relevant topics in the field of Early Care and Education specific to preschool aged children.