Date of Award
2004
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services
Advisor
Fred Fishback
Committee Member
Clifford Claiborne
Committee Member
Maryellen Maher
Keywords
child assessment, communication, curriculum continuity, district transition plan, early childhood education, family resource specialist, kindergarten, kindergarten entry, Kindergarten Transition Plan, Kindergarten Transition Team, Michigan, parent educator, parent involvement, parents, preschool, program continuity, proficiency, school readiness, student performance, teacher perceptions, teachers, transition to kindergarten, training services, written transition plan
Abstract
This applied dissertation intervention was designed to increase district activities that support the transition to kindergarten and school readiness. Minimal communication between prekindergarten and kindergarten teachers; lack of continuity in curriculum across programs; little, if any, contact between parents and kindergarten teachers prior to kindergarten entry; and the absence of a purposeful district transition plan appeared to be affecting student readiness for kindergarten. Parents and teachers in kindergarten and preschool programs received the consultation and training services of a parent educator/family resource specialist and a curriculum consultant. It was hypothesized that these services would improve quality and continuity between programs. A Kindergarten Transition Team was convened to establish and implement a written Kindergarten Transition Plan for the district.
Survey data were analyzed to determine patterns of perception among teachers and parents as to the value and impact of interventions. Student performance assessment demonstrated an increase from 60% in 2001-2001 and 2002-2003 to 80% in the 2003- 2004 school year of incoming students who were proficient in the skill set determined appropriate for traditional kindergarten placement. The null hypothesis, there is no relationship between the intervention and student readiness at kindergarten round-up (a term used in Michigan to describe the events that take place in the spring when parents and incoming kindergarteners come to school for student evaluation, completion of registration paperwork, and orientation) was rejected.