Tools for Transition in Early Childhood: A Step-by-Step Guide for Agencies, Teachers, and Families

For young children with and without disabilities, positive outcomes depend on smooth, effective transitions between and within early intervention programs, preschool programs, and public school programs. Now there is a how-to guide that helps professionals across programs work together to make these transitions happen. Coauthored by top expert Beth Rous, this book gives readers a step-by-step model that has been field tested across the country and shaped by feedback from state and local agencies. Professionals from different early childhood programs will learn to collaborate as they: (1) establish a clear vision of what transition should look like; (2) view transition from a general education and special education perspective; (3) set up a formal interagency structure to ensure effective teamwork; (4) make decisions as a group while avoiding conflict; (5) draw up a work plan that helps the team set goals and track outcomes; (6) guide children and families as they adapt to new environments, both on a daily basis and over time; and (7) develop written materials to clarify roles and responsibilities for teachers, staff, and families. Following about the Authors, and a foreword (By Mark Wolery), this book contains eleven chapters: (1) A Community Approach to Transition; (2) Research Base with Gloria Harbin, Katherine McCormick, and Lee Ann Jung; (3) Building the Interagency Team; (4) Interagency Structure; (5) Group Decision Making; (6) Barriers to and Assessment of Current Practices; (7) Program Practices; (8) Child and Family Practices; (9) Written Guidance; (10) Developing the Plan; and (11) Evaluation. Photocopiable Forms are appended.