- Simone Braithwaite
- Simone.Braithwaite@asm.ca.gov
(FRESNO, Calif) – Assemblymember Kevin McCarty’s Universal Transitional Kindergarten expansion was highlighted by Governor Newsom during a bill signing today in Fresno.
“Every child deserves access to high quality early learning opportunities that will prepare them to thrive in kindergarten and beyond. Universal transitional kindergarten (UTK) makes that a reality,” said Assemblymember Kevin McCarty. “High quality early education sets children up for success in school, lifts up working families, narrows opportunity gaps, and breaks cycles of intergenerational poverty. UTK is a huge win for California’s children and families. Thank you Governor Newsom for your unwavering commitment to our youngest learners.”
The 2021 California budget allocated $790 million to expand UTK to all 4-year-olds - $300 million for planning and professional development and $490 million for TK and kindergarten facilities.
The expansion will begin incrementally in 2022-23 with full implementation anticipated by 2025-26.
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Kevin McCarty represents California’s 7th Assembly District, which include the cities of Sacramento, West Sacramento and unincorporated Sacramento County. McCarty serves as Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance.