Evaluating Transition to School Programs: Learning from Research and Practice

This book explores approaches to evaluating transition to school programs from Australian and international perspectives, highlighting the importance of a positive start to school for future outcomes. It encourages educators to reflect on their contexts and adopt relevant evaluation practices, using examples and figures to illustrate potential applications. The book is written for educators, leaders, researchers, and policy makers in early years and primary school settings.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 238 pages
Publication date: 22 October 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The transition to school is a pivotal period in the lives of children, families, and educators alike, marking a significant shift in their experiences and responsibilities. To support positive transitions, numerous transition to school programs have been developed worldwide. However, the evaluation of these programs has often been lacking in rigorousness and systematicness. This book aims to bridge this gap by bringing together Australian and international perspectives on research and practice related to evaluating transition to school programs.

For children, entering school is a transformative experience that requires adjustment and adaptation. It is a new environment with unfamiliar routines, people, and expectations. Families and educators also face significant changes as they navigate the school system and engage with new professionals. Recognizing the importance of a positive start to school and its impact on future school engagement and outcomes, developing effective transition to school programs has become a priority in many countries.

Throughout the chapters of this book, authors from Australia, Germany, Sweden, Ireland, and Jamaica share their insights and experiences in evaluating transition to school programs. They provide examples of evaluation practices that have been successful in their respective contexts, encouraging educators to reflect on their own settings and adopt evaluation approaches that are relevant and appropriate. The book brings together the fields of evaluation research and transition to school, using a wide range of examples and figures to illustrate the connections between research and practice.

Evaluating Transition to School Programs emphasizes the importance of considering multiple perspectives of the transition to school. It suggests ways in which the perspectives of children, families, educators, and community members can be included and analyzed in evaluation strategies. Collaboration, respect, and trust are key themes throughout the book, as they are essential for effective evaluation practices.

By exploring the challenges and opportunities of evaluating transition to school programs, this book aims to provide valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and researchers. It serves as a resource for practitioners seeking to enhance the effectiveness of their programs and improve the outcomes for children transitioning to school.

Weight: 402g
Dimension: 153 x 235 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367517670