Democrats in Legislature want to expand early childhood education

SACRAMENTO -- Democrats in the state Senate want to use an upcoming jump in education funding to make transitional kindergarten available to every 4-year-old in California.

The proposed investment in early childhood education, which would total nearly $1 billion a year once the program is fully phased in by 2020, is another sign of the state’s rebounding financial health.

“The era of cutting education in California is over,” said Senate leader Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) during a news conference Tuesday at an elementary school in Sacramento.

A recent report from the Legislative Analyst’s Office said there could be more than $7.7 billion in additional funding generated for schools in the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1.

The Senate Democrats’ plan would fund the hiring of 8,000 more teachers and provide an additional 350,000 children with access to transitional kindergarten, far more than the 120,000 currently eligible.

Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) also wants to expand early childhood education, something he discussed when outlining a series of budget proposals last month.

State Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said spending more money on transitional kindergarten would help California save money in other areas.

The choice, he said, is “invest in kids now and reap the rewards” or “pay the price later” when children fall behind in school, drop out and even become involved in criminal activity.

Gov. Jerry Brown is scheduled to outline his budget proposals on Friday.

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Twitter: @chrismegerian