This document was developed to provide principals and teachers with an understanding of the concept and process of student transition to secondary school and to suggest creative ways which teachers have found that will enable educators to facilitate students' transition into and through some of the early secondary grades. The monograph is organized into three parts. The introduction outlines the purpose of the handbook. The second part introduces the concept and process of transition and includes two figures which summarize the significant aspects of transition. The third and most extensive part deals with facilitating transition. It focuses on three areas: (1) school environment from elementary to secondary grades; (2) developmental changes in students during early and middle adolescence; and (3) meeting individual differences and serving at-risk students. Specific ideas and suggestions are provided to ease transition for all students and to maximize opportunities for students to make the best use of their school time. Teaching strategies are presented for the early adolescent period in the areas of social/emotional, physical, and intellectual and creative growth. The appendices contain a series of checklists for principals and teachers, a glossary of terms, and a selected annotated bibliography. (NB)