Ann Arbor Times

Children enrolled in transitional kindergarten (TK) programs in Michigan demonstrated improved performance in math and English by the time they reached third grade, according to a study conducted by the University of Michigan. The research found that these students achieved higher test scores compared to their peers who did not participate in the program.

“The impacts on 3rd grade test scores are particularly large and consistent with the strong program features of TK that we’ve documented,” said Christina Weiland, a professor at U-M’s Marsal Family School of Education and the Ford School of Public Policy. “Our findings identify a new model that has been very successful at improving student achievement.”

The introduction of TK, which now serves over 10,000 children annually in Michigan, has significantly increased the number of children attending state-funded early education programs.

“Some families opted for TK instead of early kindergarten or the Great Start Readiness Program, resulting in a net increase in children served in public preschool programs,” Weiland noted. “The swift filling of newly available GSRP spots demonstrates the high demand for state-funded early education programs and its effectiveness in addressing this demand.”

The availability of TK also led to more families delaying kindergarten entry, particularly among economically disadvantaged households. This suggests that financial factors play a significant role when public options are available for early education decisions.

Unlike other early learning programs in Michigan and most U.S. states, TK teachers must meet the same qualifications and receive the same compensation as K-12 teachers. In contrast, early education teachers are often compensated substantially less, contributing to higher turnover rates.

Additionally, the curriculum used in TK programs tends to target specific school readiness skills rather than using curricula commonly found in public pre-K programs. These targeted curricula have repeatedly outperformed other options.

“The significant academic improvements observed suggest that TK can have lasting positive effects on children’s educational trajectories, potentially contributing to better longer-term educational outcomes,” Weiland stated.

“We’re next evaluating the effects of Michigan TK on additional outcomes such as kindergarten readiness and special education placement during early elementary grades. We also plan to continue following students as they transition to middle school.”