Transition: School to School

Transition from early care to formal schooling

Tom Corbett, Governor; Ronald Tomalis, Secretary of Education; Gary Alexander, Secretary of Public Welfare www.education.state.pa.us www.dpw.state.pa.us

Transition: School to School

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Enrich continuity between early childhood programs and formal schools.

Design strategies to support children when practices differ across settings.

School-to-School:OBJECTIVES

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Goal: Provide children with stable classroom experiences over time

Shared expectations, shared practices

Address differences

Support teachers across settings

School School Connections

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What are the potential points of difference between Preschool & Formal School

Environment?

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1. Academic demands / curricula2. Learning environment

3. Social environment (peers)4. Family connection with school

5. Time with teacher(s)

What are the potential points of differences between Preschool & Formal

School Environment?

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SHARED EXPECTATIONS AND PRACTICES

Standards Aligned System Portal

http://www.pdesas.org/



A RESOURCE FOR TRANSITION• Aligns standards

• Aligns assessments• Aligns instructional practices

• Promotes a shared understanding of school culture



Shared Standards Promote Continuityfrom:

Transitions for Young Children: Creating Connections Across Early Childhood Systems

(Kagan, Tate)• Standards are an essential element of a transition policy framework because they describe what children should learn in each setting.

• Establishing standards requires deep thinking about the nature of what children experience as they move from one setting to another.

• Alignment of expectations across age/grade levels promotes continuity in what children learn at different ages and facilitates effective transitions.

• Misalignment of standards contributes to discontinuity between settings.

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http://www.amazon.com/Transitions-Young-Children-Connections-Childhood/dp/1598570838/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1350666147&sr=8-2&keywords=transition+kagan

http://www.amazon.com/Transitions-Young-Children-Connections-Childhood/dp/1598570838/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1350666147&sr=8-2&keywords=transition+kagan



Shared Standards

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http://www.pakeys.org/uploadedContent/Docs/PD/Standards/Infant%20Toddler%202010.pdf

http://www.pakeys.org/uploadedContent/Docs/PD/Standards/Pre-Kindergarten%202010.pdf

http://www.pakeys.org/uploadedContent/Docs/PD/Standards/Kindergarten%202010.pdf

http://www.pakeys.org/uploadedContent/Docs/PD/Standards/1st%20Grade%202008.pdf

http://www.pakeys.org/uploadedContent/Docs/PD/Standards/2nd%20Grade%20Final.pdf



Standards-based Curriculum and Assessments



Shared Instructional Practices• Environment• Mode of instruction• Social aspects• Family involvement



• Leadership

• Safe and Supportive Schools

School culture

Early Childhood Executive Leadership Institute

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pa_inspired_leaders/8922

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pa_inspired_leaders/8922



Sharing Stories/Seeking Solutions



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Post training assignments:Each participant must complete…• A Post Survey• An Implementation Project

Stay informed and keep in touch through use of the TACEL

Professional Learning Community at www.pdesas.org

http://www.pdesas.org/



1. Review your prioritized areas for child-school, family-school, and school-school sections of BPR, and

2. Develop a plan for moving forward

Remember resources are available in the Transition toolkit to assist in the planning process.

3. Within 3 weeks of series completion, log into TACEL PLC and post an update.

Implementation project



We can…..

Through effective transition planning...

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Be the change we hope to see in our communities!

Documents

Transition: School to School