Transitions to Kindergarten: Findings from Recent Research

The landscape of both PreK and kindergarten has shifted over the past 20 years. The transition to kindergarten has become increasingly important, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic has affected enrollment patterns. How can elementary schools, early care and education (ECE) programs, state agencies, and systems best support transitions in this new context?


This brief provides a review of recent research (2016-2021) on transitions to kindergarten, focusing on [a] transition practices that children and families may experience directly; and [b] the policy levers that state and local policymakers can enact to support effective transitions to kindergarten.


This brief was prepared for Education Commission of the States as part of technical assistance provided to five states. 

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