TK classrooms used a wide range of curricula, with most LEAs using one to four approaches and nearly 1 in 5 still using kindergarten curriculum¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study (2 entries) · associational r2 · q2
Currency · newest study 2026 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? In 2024–25, 88% of LEAs reported using between one and four curricular approaches; the most common were social-emotional curriculum (49%), PreK literacy-specific curriculum (42%), whole child or comprehensive PreK curriculum (38%), and PreK math-specific curriculum (33%). → Wang 2026 q2 i? Use of kindergarten curriculum in TK declined to 18% in 2024–25, but about 1 in 10 LEAs may use kindergarten curriculum in TK classrooms serving only 4-year-olds. → Wang 2026 (2)

Evidence¶

Wang 2026¶

Wang, V. (2026). California's universal prekindergarten implementation, 2024–25. Learning Policy Institute. https://doi.org/10.54300/540.887

q2 · i? · associational · r2

Descriptive survey results on TK curricula (Table 4, N = 1,414 LEAs), with year-over-year trends showing declining use of PreK literacy-specific curriculum, kindergarten curriculum, and district- or teacher-developed units.

"most LEAs (88%) reporting using between one and four curricular approaches. The most common curricular approaches include a social-emotional curriculum (49%), PreK literacy-specific curriculum (42%), whole child or comprehensive PreK curriculum (38%), and PreK math-specific curriculum (33%)."

Wang 2026 (2)¶

Wang, V. (2026). California's universal prekindergarten implementation, 2024–25. Learning Policy Institute. https://doi.org/10.54300/540.887

q2 · i? · associational · r2

Survey trend analysis (Table 4). Of 256 LEAs using kindergarten curriculum, 125 operated TK–kindergarten classrooms and 131 did not, suggesting about 1 in 10 LEAs may use kindergarten curriculum with only 4-year-olds.

"Fewer LEAs used kindergarten curriculum in TK classrooms in 2024–25 than prior years, though almost 1 in 5 continue to do so."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Most LEAs used multiple TK curricula and play-based, developmentally appropriate strategies, but 20% still used kindergarten curriculum in TK classrooms — related
• A growing share of LEAs adopted social-emotional and developmentally appropriate strategies, led by play-based learning at 82% — related
• California TK classrooms most commonly used social-emotional and literacy-specific curricula, but about a quarter of LEAs used kindergarten curriculum in TK — related