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Quincy district: Transition to Kindergarten program shows improved kindergarten readiness in WA Kids data
Summary
District staff reported that the Quincy School District Transition to Kindergarten (TK) program produced higher kindergarten readiness scores than comparison groups and is provided to children without prior early-learning experience; the board heard enrollment, staffing and program data.
Sarah Halskin, the district lead for the Transition to Kindergarten program, and Miss Pershing briefed the board on the TK program and presented WA Kids assessment results showing higher readiness for TK participants.
"Our program is designed for 4 year olds who have not had any access to early learning," Sarah Halskin said, describing the program's eligibility criteria and its play‑based, full‑day approach.
The nut graf: the program targets the most at‑risk 4‑year‑olds in the district and, according to district WA Kids data, children who attended the TK program were more likely than peers to be rated "ready" across several developmental domains when they entered kindergarten.
District presenters said TK seats are offered at three schools (Mountain View, Monument and Pioneer) and that the program serves the whole district. Enrollment figures presented to the board show 12 at Mountain View, 12 at Monument, 8 at Pioneer, 11 in ALE placements across buildings and 5 in George — with a wait list of 22 children at the time of reporting.
Presenters walked the board through comparative WA Kids charts. Miss Pershing said the district's TK cohort — which the district intentionally selects from among the most at‑risk applicants — scored higher in the green (ready) bands across assessment domains than groups of children who had no early learning or who had other preschool experiences. She emphasized that the green column was higher "in every single area" on the slide shown to the board.
Board discussion included program scheduling and rest-time for 4‑year‑olds, the district's obligation to provide a full‑day schedule under OSPI TK rules, and the district's outreach and partnerships with local early‑learning providers to avoid duplicating services. Staff said the program offers family‑education opportunities informally during screening and intake.
There was no formal board action on TK during the meeting; staff said they will continue to monitor enrollment and wait lists and coordinate with community providers.
