American Teacher
January/February 2012

Feature Story
From Cradle to Grade

A new AFT report promotes seamless transitions into early grades by drawing from the insights of educators like Cincinnati's Rachel Tapp.

THERE HAVE BEEN MANY studies over the years documenting the need for smoother transitions from prekindergarten to the elementary level. A new AFT study reinforces that conclusion—and does it in a manner that puts frontline voices at the heart of the dialogue.

“Right from the Start: Strategies for Developing Effective Transitions from Pre-K through Grade 3 for our Youngest Students,” was funded through the Pew Charitable Trusts and highlights many field-tested measures to building an effective, collaborative environment between the pre-K and elementary communities. Such an environment is indispensable to the long-term success of students—particularly the most vulnerable young learners, AFT president Randi Weingarten stresses.

“Collaborative, thoughtful and intentional transitions to assist children leaving pre-K and entering kindergarten have been found to be especially beneficial to children from lower socioeconomic circumstances,” Weingarten writes in the introduction to the report, citing measures already adopted in several communities.

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