The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District has been selected as a recipient of the California School Boards Association’s prestigious Golden Bell Award for its innovative and equity-driven Early Learning and PK-3 Coherence initiative: “Building Equitable Foundations for Lifelong Success.”
MPUSD is one of only a select group of districts statewide to earn this recognition, which celebrates outstanding programs that improve student achievement, close opportunity gaps, and model innovation in public education. The Golden Bell Awards are considered CSBA’s highest honor, and each program undergoes a rigorous review and site validation process by CSBA representatives. MPUSD will be formally recognized at the 2025 Golden Bell Awards Ceremony during CSBA’s Annual Education Conference in Sacramento this week. This is the first time for MPUSD to win this prestigious award.
A Bold Commitment to Early Equity
MPUSD’s journey began in 2015 after receiving data showing that only 27 percent of students were fully prepared for kindergarten. In response, the district’s Board of Education made an unprecedented commitment to early learning equity by expanding access, aligning curriculum, and transforming instruction from preschool through third grade.
In 2016, MPUSD adopted a groundbreaking Expanded Transitional Kindergarten policy, co-authored by then-Board Member and now Monterey County Supervisor Wendy Root Askew, extending TK eligibility to all children turning five by March 1, years before the state’s universal TK rollout. Today, every MPUSD elementary school offers at least one TK classroom, ensuring all four-year-olds have a strong start.
Building Coherence from Preschool through Third Grade
What makes MPUSD’s work exemplary is its coherence to ensure children experience seamless, developmentally appropriate learning across preschool, TK, kindergarten, and the early grades.
The initiative’s key features include:
- Aligned Curriculum and Assessments: Shared tools such as the Desired Results Developmental Profile help teachers understand each child’s strengths and personalize instruction.
- Dual Language Pathways: Bilingual classrooms provide a clear continuum for Spanish and English language development from preschool through elementary school.
- Developmentally Appropriate Practices: Lessons emphasize play-based, hands-on learning that fosters curiosity, creativity, and early literacy.
- Social-Emotional Learning: All PK-3 classrooms use the Second Step curriculum and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports beginning in preschool.
- Inclusive Classrooms: MPUSD offers fully inclusive preschool programs where children with special needs learn alongside peers.
- Family Engagement: Parent education programs such as Abriendo Puertas and Raising a Reader empower families as partners in learning.
Results That Last
The outcomes are transformative. Students who attend MPUSD’s preschool and TK programs enter kindergarten 10-16 percentile points higher on early reading assessments, and over 90 percent now meet or exceed expectations in self-regulation and engagement, up from 29 percent in 2015. These gains extend into the upper grades, with MPUSD’s third-grade English and math scores steadily improving over the past five years.
Sustaining the Work
Unlike many short-term initiatives, MPUSD’s early learning and PK-3 coherence efforts are built into district policy and funded through the Local Control and Accountability Plan. Ongoing investments in facilities, professional development, and leadership ensure long-term sustainability and replicability for other districts across California.
“This work proves what’s possible when a district leads boldly and designs equity into every decision,” said Cresta McIntosh, Associate Superintendent of Educational Services. “Our commitment to high-quality early learning has transformed how our community supports young children, and it’s shaping stronger outcomes that last well beyond third grade.”
About the Golden Bell Awards
The CSBA Golden Bell Awards, established in 1980, recognize outstanding programs and governance practices that promote excellence and equity in education. Each year, winners are selected through a competitive process that includes application review, on-site evaluations, and validation by an independent panel of experts.
Looking Ahead
MPUSD will be honored alongside other award-winning districts from across California at the California School Boards Association’s Annual Education Conference and Golden Bell Awards Ceremony in Sacramento this week.
“This recognition is a testament to the vision and dedication of our educators, families, and Board of Education,” said Superintendent PK Diffenbaugh. “Together, we are ensuring every child begins their educational journey with the skills, confidence, and support to thrive.”
The honor is especially meaningful for Dr. Bettye Lusk, MPUSD Board of Education member and President of the California School Boards Association, who has been a steadfast advocate for the Golden Bell Awards and for highlighting innovative programs that improve student outcomes.
“As a district and as a Board, we have worked tirelessly to align our early learning efforts to give every child a strong start,” said Dr. Lusk. “To see MPUSD recognized with a Golden Bell is both humbling and affirming. It’s a reflection of the powerful collaboration between our educators, families, and community, and the belief that every child deserves the very best foundation for lifelong success.”
MPUSD Online | www.mpusd.k12.ca.us
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