Imperfect Paradise: California is not tracking whether its multi-billion dollar public preschool program is working. So how do we know if it’s helping or hurting students?
California City
LAist Studios
4.5 • 1.2K Ratings
🗓️ 27 February 2026
⏱️ 28 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
California has spent billions of dollars on a free universal preschool program available to all eligible 4-year-olds in the state. However, there are no official plans in place from the state to evaluate the success of the program, also known as transitional kindergarten, or TK. LAist Early Childhood Senior Reporter Elly Yu joins Imperfect Paradise to discuss why experts say research is needed, who is accountable for TK’s success, and what California can learn from other states with similar programs.
Read more of Elly’s reporting on California's TK program at LAist.com.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Here at LAist, you ask, we answer. |
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| 0:15.5 | Hey, everybody, it's Kyle Risdahl, the host of Marketplace. |
| 0:18.3 | I'm going to be live on stage at the Aratani Theater on Sunday, |
| 0:21.8 | March 29th, unpacking the headlines of this economy. Get tickets now at laist.com |
| 0:28.0 | slash events. I hope to see you there. This is in Perfect Paradise. I'm your host, Nereida Moreno. |
| 0:34.7 | Over 175,000 four-year-olds across California are more than halfway through their school year |
| 0:40.3 | as part of the country's largest universal preschool program. |
| 0:43.8 | Good morning, Victor. |
| 0:45.1 | This is the first school year. |
| 0:46.6 | Every four-year-olds in the state has had access to transitional kindergarten or TK |
| 0:50.9 | through their local public schools. |
| 0:53.3 | Oh, Oli O oval, a football shape is mine. |
| 0:59.0 | Some people think I'm an A, but I think I'm just fine. |
| 1:04.0 | Let's draw it. |
| 1:05.0 | Ooh! |
| 1:06.0 | Good job. |
| 1:08.0 | It's also come at a hefty price. |
| 1:10.0 | California taxpayers have spent billions on It's also come at a hefty price. |
| 1:16.1 | California taxpayers have spent billions on the new grade level. |
| 1:23.1 | Governor Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers announced the ambitious plan in 2021 with Newsom making this promise. |
... |
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