What Are Parents Saying About Family Involvement in School Transitions? A Retrospective Transition Interview

Nineteen parents whose children attended three preschools and were presently attending public school were interviewed face-to-face to find out what they perceived as major issues during their child’s schoo! transition. Parents expressed both concern and satisfaction regarding their child’s school transition, their role as decision-makers, and the effects of the transition on their family, E Two major goals for a handicapped child’s transition from a specialized preschool class-room to a regular kindergarten classroom are (a) to minimize disruption in the child’s educational program and learning and (b) to minimize disruption in the services provided to families (Fowler, 1982; Winton, Turnbull, & Blacher, 1984). These are not always easy tasks. Preschool and kindergarten programs that serve young handicapped children and their families often differ in their classroom composition, physical arrangement, daily schedule, rules and routines, and methods o