Preschool Transition Practices Survey. National Early Childhood Transition Center

Transcription

1 Preschool Transition Practices Survey National Early Childhood Transition Center Opening Doors to Succes s

2 Preschool Transition Practices Survey I am writing you to ask your assistance with a very important study related to the transition of young children into preschool services. You have been randomly selected to receive this survey as a teacher in a public preschool program. Your assistance with this study is critical to determining how to help young children and their families transition into preschool and kindergarten programs successfully. This survey seeks information on your practices (and those of your school and district) that are related to children's entry into preschool and the transition from preschool to kindergarten. This study is being conducted by the National Early Childhood Transition Research and Training Center. You can find out more about this study at For the purposes of thsi study, we define preschool as programs for three and four-year old children, and for five-year-old children who are not enrolled in kindergarten. We define kindergarten as programs for five- and six-year-old children the year prior to entering first grade. You may find it helpful to have the class roll for your current preschool class available while answering some of these questions. If you teach multiple preschool classes, such as morning and afternoon sessions with different children- choose just one of those classes, for example, the morning class, to think about when answering questions. Taking part in this study is completely voluntary. You will incur no penalties if you choose not to take part. What you tell us in this study is private, and will be kept confidential to the fullest extent allowed by law. We will not share information with parents or your supervisor. Your responses will be combined with information from other surveys for research and statistical reports. By completing this survey, you are giving consent for us to use this information as part of our national study on transitions and young children with disabilities. Please take a few moments to answer each of the questions. This survey should take about 20 to 30 minutes to complete. Once competed, please return in the business reply envelope provided. If you have any questions or need assistance with this survey, please contact me at (866) Once again, thank you for your assistance with this important research study. Sincerely, Beth Rous Principal Investigator This survey has been adapted with permission from the National Center for Early Development & Learning. Transition Practices Survey. Retrieved from the NCEDL Web site:

3 Are you currently teaching preschool children (three or four-year-olds, or five-year-olds not enrolled in kindergarten)? PLEASE ONE. 1 NO (If no, DO NOT COMPLETE the other pages, just return this survey in the envelope provided.) 2 YES (If yes, please complete the survey and return in the envelope provided within the next 2 weeks.)

4 School Information 1. What is the current total student enrollment in your school? Number of children enrolled in your school 2. Which of the following best describes the location of your school? PLEASE ONE. 1 Urban 2 Suburban 3 Small Town 4 Rural 9 Don t Know 3. Which of the following best describes the location of the preschool program within the school? 1 The preschool program is housed within the elementary school building 2 The preschool program is housed in another building on the elementary school campus 3 The preschool program is housed in a building that is separate from the elementary school campus 9 Don t Know 4. Which one of the following best describes your school? 1 A public school that draws students from the surrounding neighborhood 2 A public school with students from neighborhoods that do and do not surround the school 3 A public magnet school that draws students from many neighborhoods 4 A public school that draws students from a large rural area 5 A private or parochial school 8 Other (please describe) 5. Does your SCHOOL currently contain any of the following programs? PLEASE ALL THAT APPLY. 1 Preschool program with open enrollment 2 Preschool program for at risk students (not Head Start) 3 Program or services for infants and toddlers 4 Head Start 5 Early Head Start 6 Preschool program for special education students Page 2

5 6. Does your SCHOOL currently contain any of the following Kindergarten programs? PLEASE ALL THAT APPLY. 1 Kindergarten class- full day and/or extended day 2 Kindergarten class- full day and/or extended day, less than 5 days a week 3 Kindergarten class- half day 4 Kindergarten class- half day, less than 5 days a week 5 Transitional kindergarten grade 1 program (regular education) 6 Combined kindergarten and first grade class (not transitional) 8 Other programs for preschoolers and kindergartners (describe): Teacher/Classroom Information 7. Did you teach preschool last year? PLEASE ONE. 1 No If no, go directly to question Yes If YES, complete question Last year, what was the total number of children in your class at the end of the year? If you taught multiple classes last year (for example, morning & afternoon sessions), answer questions for one of those classes. Total number of children in your class at the end of the year Number of days a week this class met? 9. Last year, how many children in your class were age-eligible to go on to kindergarten, but were kept in preschool (this includes transitional kindergarten and pre-k)? If you taught multiple classes last year (for example, morning & afternoon sessions), answer questions for one of those classes. Number of kindergarten eligible children in your class last year that stayed in preschool 10. Last year, did you have three, four, and five-year-old children (not enrolled in kindergarten) in your class? If you taught multiple classes last year (for example, morning & afternoon sessions), answer questions for one of those classes. PLEASE ONE. 1 No If No, go directly to question Yes If YES, complete question 11. Page 3

6 11. Last year, how many five-year-olds not enrolled in kindergarten were in your class? If you taught multiple classes last year (for example, morning & afternoon sessions), answer questions for one of those classes. Write 0 if there were none. Number of five year olds not enrolled in kindergarten 12. What category best describes your race/ethnicity? PLEASE ONE. 1 American Indian or Native Alaskan 2 Asian/Pacific Islander 3 Black, not Hispanic 4 Hispanic 5 White, not Hispanic 6 Multiple Origins (Please specify ) 8 Other (Please specify ) 13. List the year of degree(s) you have received: 1 High School: 2 CDA: 3 Associate s: 4 Bachelor s: 5 Master s: 6 Doctorate: 14. Check ( ) the grades and area(s) of specialization or certification you hold. This pertains to state-level certification(s). PLEASE ALL THAT APPLY. General Education a) Pre-kindergarten or Preschool 1 2 b) Kindergarten 1 2 c) 1 st grade 1 2 d) 2 nd grade 1 2 e) 3 rd grade 1 2 f) 4 th grade 1 2 g) 5 th grade 1 2 h) 6 th grade 1 2 i) 7 th grade 1 2 j) 8 th grade 1 2 k) 9 th grade 1 2 l) 10 th grade 1 2 m) 11 th grade 1 2 n) 12 th grade 1 2 Special Education Page 4

7 15. Have you had any specialized training to enhance children s transition into preschool? PLEASE ONE. 1 No If Yes, please describe: 2 Yes 16. Have you had any specialized training to enhance children s transition from preschool to kindergarten? PLEASE ONE. 1 No 2 Yes If Yes, please describe: 17. List your years of teaching experience at each of the following levels: a) Infants/Toddlers (includes birth through 2 year olds) b) Preschool (includes 3 and 4 year olds and 5 year olds not enrolled in kindergarten) c) Kindergarten (includes Kindergarten-grade 1, Kindergarten-grade 2) d) Above kindergarten (first grade & above, not Kindergarten-grade 1 or Kindergarten-grade 2) 18. At this time, how many children are enrolled in your class? If you teach multiple classes, such as morning and afternoon sessions with different children, answer questions for just one of those classes, for example, your morning class. Number of children enrolled in your class 19. How many children were transferred into or joined this class AFTER the first two weeks of school? If you teach multiple classes, such as morning and afternoon sessions with different children, answer questions for just one of those classes, for example, your morning class. Number of children transferred into or enrolled AFTER the first two weeks of school 20. This year, how many children left your class after the first two weeks of school? If you teach multiple classes, such as morning and afternoon sessions with different children, answer questions for just one of those classes, for example, your morning class. Number of children who left your class after the first two weeks of school Page 5

8 21. How many children with special needs (children receiving special education services) are enrolled in your class this year? If you teach multiple classes, such as morning and afternoon sessions with different children, answer questions for just one of those classes, for example, your morning class. Number of children with special needs enrolled in your class (not including those children who ONLY receive speech therapy OR those children who ONLY receive ESL/LEP/bilingual services) Number of children receiving speech therapy ONLY who are enrolled in your class Number of children receiving ESL/LEP/bilingual services ONLY who are enrolled in your class 22. This year, do you have children of multiple ages in your class (e.g., three, four and/or five-year old children not enrolled in kindergarten)? If you teach multiple classes, such as morning and afternoon sessions with different children, answer questions for just one of those classes, for example, your morning class. PLEASE ONE. 1 No If No, go directly to question Yes If YES, complete question This year, how many five-year-olds in your class are not enrolled in kindergarten? If you teach multiple classes this year (for example, morning & afternoon sessions), answer questions for one of those classes. Write 0 if there are none. Number of five-year-olds not enrolled in kindergarten 24. Note the number of children in your current class for each group below. Enter 0 for none. If you teach multiple classes this year (for example, morning & afternoon sessions), answer questions for one of those classes. a) American Indian or Native Alaskan b) Asian/Pacific Islander c) Black, not Hispanic d) Hispanic e) White, not Hispanic f) Multiple Origins: Please specify g) Other: Please specify Page 6

9 25. How many of the children in your class are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals? If you teach multiple classes this year (for example, morning & afternoon sessions), answer questions for one of those classes Number of children eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals OR 01 Not allowed to know 02 Lunch not available 09 Don t Know 10 Not Applicable 26. How many of the children in your class received services through your state early intervention program for infants/toddlers? If you teach multiple classes this year (for example, morning & afternoon sessions), answer questions for one of those classes. Number of children who received early intervention services 27. Are any of the following individuals currently in your classroom at least 3 times per week? For example, if an individual parent volunteers on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday each week, or different parents come in for a total of 3 times per week, then check Parent Volunteer. PLEASE ALL THAT APPLY. 1 Teaching assistant/paraprofessional 2 Co-teacher 3 Student teacher 4 Parent volunteer 5 Community volunteer 6 College student 8 Other Entering Preschool 28. Based on your experience, approximately what percentage of the children who enter preschool fall into the following categories? Make sure these numbers total 100%. a) % Very successful entry, virtually no problems b) % Moderately successful entry, some problems, mostly minor c) % Difficult or very difficult entry, serious concerns or many problems Page 7

10 29. Based on your experience, for how many children in a typical class are the following characteristics a problem when they enter preschool? PLEASE CIRCLE ONE FOR EACH ITEM. None A few About onefourth of the class About half of the class More than half of the class a) Lack of pre-academic skills b) Difficulty following directions c) Difficulty working as part of a group d) Problems with social skills, getting along with other children e) Difficulty with self-help skills f) Difficulty working independently g) Difficulty communicating/language problems h) Lack of any formal experience in groups i) Difficulty with separating from primary caregiver j) Disorganized home environments k) Immaturity l) Other (describe) m) Lack of parent involvement or interest n) Difficult home environment (e.g. drug use, abuse/neglect) In your judgment, what number of children out of the total number of children in your current class were not ready for preschool when they entered? (Enter zero if all are ready.) If you teach multiple classes this year (for example, morning & afternoon sessions), answer questions for one of those classes. out of (number in CURRENT class) that were not ready for preschool when they entered 31. Approximately how many children in your current class spent last year in one or more of the following? (Enter zero for none.) Please note that it is appropriate for children to be counted in more than one environment. If you teach multiple classes this year (for example, morning & afternoon sessions), answer questions for one of those classes. a) Early intervention services (with IFSP or IEP) b) Private therapy services (speech/language, physical, occupational) c) Family child care d) Preschool center-based program (private) e) Center-based program (private) for toddlers f) Head Start/Early Head Start g) Don t know h) Other: Please specify Page 8

11 32. If you do not know last year s settings for children in your class, would it have been useful to know this information to prepare for their transition into preschool? 01 No 02 Yes 03 Maybe 10 Not Applicable Transition Practices 33. On the next page, a number of practices are listed that might occur to facilitate children s transition to preschool. For each of these practices listed below, indicate whether in Fall 2003, you: 0) Did not use, [1 st column] 1) Used for children with special needs (receiving special education services), [2 nd column] 2) Used for certain individuals (but not students receiving special education services), [3 rd column] 3) Used for the whole class [4 th column]. PLEASE ONE FOR EACH PRACTICE. Then for each of the listed items, circle if you believe each practice is 1) not necessary 2) a good idea OR 3) a good idea but there are barriers to implementing this practice for me. PLEASE ONE FOR EACH PRACTICE Page 9

12 Practice a) Written records of the child s past experiences or status were made available b) Written records of the child s past experiences and status were reviewed c) A visit to the child s home before school starts d) A visit to the child s home after school starts e) A letter to the child s parents before school starts f) A letter to the child s parents after school starts g) A talk with the child s parents before school starts h) A talk with the child s parents after school starts i) A meeting with child and family before school starts j) A meeting with child and family after school starts k) A flyer or informational brochure sent before school starts l) A flyer or informational brochure sent after school starts m) A letter to the child sent before school starts n) A letter to the child sent after school starts o) A call to the child before school Did not use Used only for children with special needs Used for certain children (not special needs) Used for Whole Class I think it s Not Necessary I think it s a Good Idea starts p) A call to the child after school starts q) Visits incoming children s preschools/programs for 2 and 3-yearolds r) Informal contacts with sending providers/teachers about children s) Providers/teachers bring next year s children to my classroom t) An open house for parents and children before school starts u) An open house for parents and children after school starts v) Participation in preschool registration for my school or district w) Regular meetings among school, early childhood, and preschool staff in community x) Contacts made to develop a coordinated curriculum with other preschool programs y) Contacts facilitated between parents of children in my class I think it s a Good Idea But Page 10

13 34. Barriers to a Good Transition Which of the following barriers prevent you from personally implementing the good idea But practices that you just identified? Place a in the far left column next to items that you feel are barriers to successful transitions as children and families enter and leave your program. 01 a) Class lists are generated too late 02 b) Work required in summer that is not supported by salary 03 c) Contacts with parents are discouraged prior to the start of school 04 d) Concern about creating negative experiences 05 e) Funds are not available 06 f) Materials are not available 07 g) Some parents are not interested 08 h) Early intervention providers/sending teachers are not interested 09 i) It takes too much time to conduct these practices 10 j) I could not reach most parents of children who need these practices 11 k) It is dangerous to visit some students homes 12 l) Parents do not bring their child in for registration or open house 13 m) Parents cannot read letters, etc., sent home 14 n) Parents Do Not read letters, etc., sent home 15 o) A transition practices plan is not available in school/district 16 p) The school or district does not support at transition plan 17 q) I choose not to do a transition plan 18 r) Records (IFSP/IEP) not available before child/school starts 19 s) Direct service providers not included in transition meetings 20 t) Service options are limited due to the timing of transition (e.g. turns 3 mid-year) 21 u) Limited number of preschool programs available 22 v) Too many programs to choose from 23 w) Other barrier: 24 x) Other barrier: Page 11

14 35. Facilitators to a Good Transition Which of the following facilitators would most assist you in personally implementing the good idea But practices that you just identified? Place a in the far left column next to items that you feel are facilitators to successful transitions as children and families enter and leave your program. 01 a) Class lists are generated on time 02 b) Work required in summer that is supported by salary 03 c) Contacts with parents are encouraged prior to the start of school 04 d) Support to create a positive experience 05 e) Funds are available 06 f) Materials are available 07 g) Parents are interested 08 h) Early intervention providers/sending teachers are interested 09 i) Practices can be conducted in a timely manner 10 j) I am able to reach most parents of children who need these practices 11 k) It is safe to visit students homes 12 l) Parents bring their child in for registration or open house 13 m) Parents are able to read letters, etc., sent home 14 n) A transition practices plan is available in school/district 15 o) The school or district supports a transition plan 16 p) I choose to do a transition plan 17 q) Records received before child attends 18 r) Other facilitator: 19 s) Other facilitator: 20 t) Other facilitator: 21 u) Other facilitator: Page 12

15 36. Which of the following practices are used by programs that feed into your school s preschool classes? PLEASE ALL THAT APPLY. 1 Participating in joint workshops with school staff on issues of interest 2 Sharing information about an individual child s progress 3 Providing assistance for children having difficulty 4 Talking with children and parents to prepare them for preschool 5 Children from these programs visiting our school 6 Others? (describe): 37. a) Approximately how many days before school started this year did you receive your class list? Number of days before school started this year that you received your class list b) Was this list complete when you received it initially? 1 Yes 2 No 9 Don t Know c) Did this list change during the first two weeks of school? 1 Yes 2 No 9 Don t Know 38. Which of the following screening procedures are performed for at least some of the children in your class? For each item, check if you as the teacher perform the procedure, if someone else performs, if both you and someone else performs, or if no one performs the procedure. Also, put in a check in the last column if the procedure takes place in the child s home. Screening refers to the short evaluation used to assess school readiness. It DOES NOT include hearing or vision screenings. Procedure Teacher performs Someone else performs Both teacher and someone else performs No one performs Interview parent Screen child using a formal instrument Screen child informally Takes place in the child s home Page 13

16 39. Who currently has responsibility for coordinating activities related to the transition or entry into preschool at your school? PLEASE ALL THAT APPLY. 01 District personnel 02 Principal 03 Kindergarten teacher 04 Preschool teacher 05 Special education teacher 06 Parent 07 Community personnel 08 School counselor 09 Family specialist 10 School psychologist 11 Behavioral specialist 12 Transition specialist/coordinator 13 Diagnostic teacher/specialists 14 Preschool director/coordinator 15 Don t know 16 Other (describe) 40. In your school, are any practices for enhancing children s entry into preschool systematically targeted toward any of the following groups of children? ALL GROUPS TO WHICH ANY PRACTICES ARE TARGETED. 1 Low income 2 Racial/ethnic minority 3 Limited English speaking 4 No preschool experience 5 Children with disabilities/special needs 6 Children who transfer into the school from another school-based preschool 7 All children Page 14

17 Moving from Preschool to Kindergarten Answer the following questions based on the classes for kindergartners currently in your school. 41. Next year, can children in your class stay in a preschool program rather than attend kindergarten? 1 No 2 Yes 3 Maybe 9 Don t Know 42. Next year, can children in your class go to a class that is for kindergartners only? 1 No 2 Yes 3 Maybe 9 Don t Know 43. Next year, can children in your class go to a combined kindergarten first grade class? 1 No 2 Yes 3 Maybe 9 Don t Know 44. Next year, can children in your class go to a program for children who need help moving to kindergarten (e.g., transitional kindergarten)? 1 No 2 Yes 3 Maybe 9 Don t Know Page 15

18 45. Below are listed a number of practices that might occur to facilitate children s transition from preschool to kindergarten. For each of the practices listed below, check whether you 1) Do not use, [1 st column] 2) Use for children with special needs (children receiving special education services), [2 nd column] 3) Use for certain individuals (but not students receiving special education services), [3 rd column] 4) Use for the whole class [4 th column]. PLEASE ONE FOR EACH PRACTICE Use only for children with special needs Use for certain children (not special needs) Do not Practice use a) I have regular meetings with kindergarten teachers to discuss continuity in the curriculum between preschool and kindergarten. b) I have regular meetings with kindergarten teachers to discuss individual children s progress throughout the year c) I attend a placement meeting with kindergarten teachers to discuss placement of children in kindergarten d) I attend a transition meeting to plan transition activities for individual children e) I attend a transition meeting to discuss general practices related to kindergarten/grade 1 transition f) I arrange for my class to visit a kindergarten class g) I arrange for my students to visit their future kindergarten teachers h) I invite kindergartners to my class to talk about kindergarten i) I invite kindergarten teachers to visit my class to talk about kindergarten j) I send parents of my preschool children information on kindergarten k) I send parents information on how placements in kindergarten are made. Information Resources Use for Whole Class 46. Do you typically receive information about strategies for enhancing transitions? PLEASE ONE. 01 No 02 Yes If yes, from which of the following sources? PLEASE ALL THAT APPLY. 03 School officials 04 Early Intervention or Early Childhood Special Education Specialist 05 Other teachers 06 Workshops 07 Magazines and journals for teachers 08 Mass media (radio, TV, newspapers) 09 The Internet 10 Newsletters (Which ones?) 11 Other (describe) Page 16

19 47. What would be the most effective way to reach you with information on enhancing transitions? PLEASE ALL THAT APPLY. 1 Mail directly to me 2 Through my school/program officials 3 Workshops (local or regional) 4 Magazines and journals for teachers 5 Mass media (radio, TV, newspapers) 6 The Internet 7 Newsletters (Which ones?) 8 Other (describe) 48. If there is any other information that you would like to share, please use the space below. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to share information about you and your classroom/program. For more information about the study, check our website at Please return your completed survey in the envelope provided to: NECTC 126 Mineral Industries Bldg. University of Kentucky Lexington, KY Page 17

20 National Early Childhood Transition Center University of Kentucky 330 Mineral Industries Bldg. Lexington, KY