NECTC > About > Focus-1

CURRENT RESEARCH IN TRANSITION

PURPOSE:

• The purpose of this focus is to provide information about transition research, policy, and practice to families and professionals in a format that is usable and accessible. A comprehensive review of research, state and national policies, and field practice was conducted by NECTC. Processes were developed for an extensive review of the research literature, as well as for identifying resources in the field that are being used to support the transition process.

APPROACH:

• Conduct a comprehensive and systematic review of extant research, policy, and practice in the area of early childhood transition for young children with disabilities and their families.

ACTIVITIES COMPLETED:

• Articles, reports, etc. were acquired to be used for review purposes. These were collected up to July 2008.
• A searchable Transition Literature Database was created to The database contains articles, policy briefs, training materials, and state development materials related to transition. 
• The Transition Database is continuously updated as new transition articles become available.
• Research coding forms were developed. Expert panel members were trained on the review process.
• The coding forms were modified for general purposes (less specific to transition) and made available for public access.
• NECTC expert panel and project staff members conducted reviews on 33 child, 17 family and 9 policy research articles.
• Synthesis documents (i.e., summaries of findings) were developed.

PRODUCTS:

• Technical Report 5 :
  A Review of Research in Early Childhood Transition: Child and Family Studies (April 2009)
• Transition Literature Database. A comprehensive, web-based searchable database.
• Transition Literature Review Policy Coding Form
• Reviewer’s Coding Form for Transition Literature Review

WORK GROUP MEMBERS:

• Ann Hains, Ph.D.
• Beth Rous, Ed.D.
• Megan Cox, Ph.D.
• Caroline Gooden, M.S.
• Katherine McCormick, Ph.D.
• Sharon Rosenkoetter, Ph.D.
• Carol Schroeder, M.S.
• Christina Stacy, M.S.
• Sarintha Stricklin, Ph.D.
• Christine Teeters-Meyers, Ph.D. 
• Melanie Tyner-Wilson, M.S.