Children's early school experiences shape their learning in future years. The transition from pre-kindergarten, or pre-K, to kindergarten is particularly important. This critical time builds the foundation for children's academic, behavioral and social-emotional skills, as well as families' relationships with their child's teachers for years to…

Effective transitions to kindergarten engage families and ease children into new environments. Countdown to Kindergarten (CTK), a program in a southeastern U.S. state that serves more than 1,000 children each year and is grounded in Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, partners kindergarten teachers and families to facilitate effective…

The transition to and through kindergarten is consequential for the academic, social, and emotional wellbeing of children. Policies and practices are in place to smooth that transition. Researchers are working to understand which practices work best and for whom, particularly as the student population in U.S. schools continues to diversify. In…

Due to systemic barriers, Latinx parents of youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) report having limited involvement in transition planning. To facilitate parent involvement in transition planning, it is critical to solicit feedback from Latinx families to inform the content and mode of a transition planning intervention. The…

This qualitative research study with Latina/o/x students and families who participated in a college outreach program found families imparted community cultural wealth and funds of knowledge that their children activated as they transitioned to college. The students experienced challenges due to immigration status, finances, and cultural…

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act emphasizes that students and parents are equal partners in the individualized education program (IEP) process, including planning for transition to postsecondary education, employment, and community living. This is especially important for English learners (ELs) with disabilities, yet little is known…

Based on the intersection of different systems at school entry, children and families often experience uncertainty about their preparedness and impending shift from other early childhood settings. This study used a mixed-methods explanatory sequential design and investigated the perspectives of parents and caregivers on kindergarten readiness with…

The purpose of this study was to examine parents' lived experiences when considering the impact of their parental involvement and parenting styles on their ethnic minority youth with disabilities, transition outcomes, and mental health. Specifically, the research sought to explore how parents' levels of engagement in their children's education may…

School counselors are trained to holistically serve all students' personal and academic development while also fostering college and career readiness (CCR). However, many school counselors inadequately serve students with disabilities due to a lack of training and/or time. Transition specialists are professionals staffed in the special education…

California Community College campuses are struggling to enroll Latinx students. As identified through the literature, most Latinx students navigate the college enrollment process with little to no guidance and seek support in navigating it. Using Yosso's (2005) community cultural wealth framework, I investigate how Rose Grace College's Familias…

Parent involvement during the transition planning meetings prior to graduation was aligned with real student success in post-secondary outcomes of work or education. When parents were not aware or had access to resources for supporting successful transitions, special needs students suffered, specifically of African American culture. This study…

Parent engagement in the transition planning process for students with IEPs is an essential indicator for positive post-school outcomes for students with disabilities graduating from high school. Barriers to parent participation include lack of communication, trust, and knowledge of the process in which they are participating. Educators must seek…

Researchers have suggested that empowered parents may be more helpful successfully transitioning children to formal school. The problem investigated in this basic qualitative study was that educators located in a Southern region of the United States were not empowering parents with the knowledge, skills, and sense of self to become engaged in…

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder impacting social interaction and communication skills. ASD can cause restrictive or repetitive behaviors, interests, and activities, with associated challenges and co-morbidities that often carry over into adulthood. These can limit opportunities for higher education, socialization,…

Students with special learning needs (SSLN) have many issues when attempting to access quality education that would prepare them for post-secondary pursuits. Upon investigation, two themes stand out (1) persistent devaluing of the potential of the SSLN, and (2) the absence of the caregiver's voice in their son or daughter's educational plan. To…