Primary to secondary school transitions: systematic literature review

Impact of transitions and the factors that support or hinder a successful transition from primary to secondary school.


References

(Introduction and Methodology)

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Jindal-Snape, D. (2016). The A – Z of Transitions. London, Palgrave Macmillan.

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Autistic Spectrum Disorders and Primary-Secondary Transition.

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Jindal-Snape, D., & Miller, D.J. (2008). A challenge of living? Understanding the psycho-social processes of the child during primary-secondary transition through resilience and self-esteem theories. Educational Psychology Review, 20, 217-236.

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References (Studies reviewed)

1. Benner, A. D., & Graham, S. (2009). The transition to high school as a developmental process among multiethnic urban youth. Child Development, 80(2), 356-376. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8624.2009.01265.x

2. Benner, A. D., Boyle, A. E., & Bakhtiari, F. (2017). Understanding students' transition to high school: Demographic variation and the role of supportive relationships. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 46(10), 2129-2142. doi:10.1007/s10964-017-0716-2

3. Burchinal, M.R., Roberts, J.E., Zeisel, S.A. & Rowley, S.J. (2008). Social risk and protective factors for African American children's academic achievement and adjustment during the transition to middle school. Developmental Psychology. 44(1), 286-292.

4. Riglin, L., Frederickson, N., Shelton, K. H., & Rice, F. (2013). A longitudinal study of psychological functioning and academic attainment at the transition to secondary school. Journal of Adolescence, 36(3), 507-517. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2013.03.002

5. Rosenblatt, J. L., & Elias, M. J. (2008). Dosage effects of a preventive social-emotional learning intervention on achievement loss associated with middle school transition. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 29(6), 535-555. doi:10.1007/s10935-008-0153-9

6. Schwerdt, G., & West, M. R. (2011). The impact of alternative grade configurations on student outcomes through middle and high school. Program on education policy and governance working papers series. PEPG 11-02. Program on Education Policy and Governance. Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government, 79 John F. Kennedy Street, Taubman 304, Cambridge, MA.

7. Serbin, L. A., Stack, D. M., & Kingdon, D. (2013). Academic success across the transition from primary to secondary schooling among lower-income adolescents: Understanding the effects of family resources and gender. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 42(9), 1331-1347. doi:10.1007/s10964-013-9987-4

8. Vasquez-Salgado, Y., & Chavira, G. (2014). The transition from middle school to high school as a developmental process among Latino youth. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 36(1), 79-94. doi:10.1177/0739986313513718

9. West, P., Sweeting, H., & Young, R. (2010). Transition matters: Pupils' experiences of the primary-secondary school transition in the West of Scotland and consequences for well-being and attainment. Research Papers in Education, 25(1), 21-50.

10. Deieso, D., & Fraser, B. J. (2018). Learning environment, attitudes and anxiety across the transition from primary to secondary school mathematics. Learning Environments Research, doi:10.1007/s10984-018-9261-5

11. Madjar, N., Cohen, V., & Shoval, G. (2018). Longitudinal analysis of the trajectories of academic and social motivation across the transition from elementary to middle school. Educational Psychology, 38(2), 221-247. doi:10.1080/01443410.2017.1341623

12. Martínez, R. S., Aricak, O. T., Graves, M. N., Peters-Myszak, J., & Nellis, L. (2011). Changes in perceived social support and socioemotional adjustment across the elementary to junior high school transition. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 40(5), 519-530. doi:10.1007/s10964-010-9572-z

13. McIntosh, K., Flannery, K. B., Sugai, G., Braun, D. H., & Cochrane, K. L. (2008). Relationships between academics and problem behavior in the transition from middle school to high school. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 10(4), 243-255. doi:10.1177/1098300708318961

14. Fortuna, R. (2014). The social and emotional functioning of students with an autistic spectrum disorder during the transition between primary and secondary schools. Support for Learning, 29(2), 177-191.

15. Poorthuis, A. M. G., Thomaes, S., Aken, M. A. G., Denissen, J. J. A., & de Castro, B. O. (2014). Dashed hopes, dashed selves? A sociometer perspective on self‐esteem change across the transition to secondary school. Social Development, 23(4), 770-783.

16. Evangelou, M; Taggart, B; Sylva, K; Melhuish, E; Sammons, P; Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2008). Effective Pre-school, Primary and Secondary Education 3-14 Project (EPPSE 3-14): What Makes a Successful Transition from Primary to Secondary School? Institute of Education, University of London/ Department for Children, Schools and Families: London.

17. Gillison, F., Standage, M., & Skevington, S. (2008). Changes in quality of life and psychological need satisfaction following the transition to secondary school. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 78(1), 149-162. doi:10.1348/000709907X209863

18. Jordan, J., McRorie, M., & Ewing, C. (2010). Gender differences in the role of emotional intelligence during the primary-secondary school transition. Emotional & Behavioural Difficulties, 15(1), 37-47. doi:10.1080/13632750903512415

19. Witherspoon, D., & Ennett, S. (2011). Stability and change in rural youths' educational outcomes through the middle and high school years. Journal of outh and Adolescence, 40(9), 1077-1090. doi:10.1007/s10964-010-9614-6

20. Vaz, S., Falkmer, M., Parsons, R., Passmore, A.E., Parkin, T., et al. (2014a). School Belongingness and Mental Health Functioning across the Primary-Secondary Transition in a Mainstream Sample: Multi-Group Cross-Lagged Analyses. PLoS ONE 9(6): e99576.

21. Waters, S. K., Lester, L., Wenden, E., & Cross, D. (2012). A theoretically grounded exploration of the social and emotional outcomes of transition to secondary school. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 22(2), 190-25. doi:{10.1017/jgc.2012.26

22. Hannah, E. F., & Topping, K. J. (2012). Anxiety levels in students with autism spectrum disorder making the transition from primary to secondary school. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 47(2), 198-209.

23. Neal, S., Rice, F., Ng-Knight, T., Riglin, L., & Frederickson, N. (2016). Exploring the longitudinal association between interventions to support the transition to secondary school and child anxiety. Journal of Adolescence, 50, 31-43. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.04.003

24. Lofgran, B. B., Smith, L. K., & Whiting, E. F. (2015). Science self-efficacy and school transitions: Elementary school to middle school, middle school to high school. School Science and Mathematics, 115(7), 366-376. doi:10.1111/ssm.12139

25. Langenkamp, A. G. (2009). Following different pathways: Social integration, achievement, and the transition to high school. American Journal of Education, 116(1), 69-97. doi:10.1086/605101

26. Langenkamp, A. G. (2010). Academic vulnerability and resilience during the transition to high school: The role of social relationships and district context. Sociology of Education, 83(1), 1-19. doi:10.1177/0038040709356563

27. Symonds, J., & Hargreaves, L. (2016). Emotional and motivational engagement at school transition: A qualitative stage-environment fit study. Journal of Early Adolescence, 36(1), 54-85. doi:10.1177/0272431614556348

28. Booth, M.Z. & Gerard, J.M. (2014). Adolescents' Stage-Environment Fit in Middle and High School: The Relationship Between Students' Perceptions of Their Schools and Themselves. Youth Soc., 46(6), 735–755.

29. Bru, E., Stornes, T., Munthe, E., & Thuen, E. (2010). Students' perceptions of teacher support across the transition from primary to secondary school. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 54(6), 519-533. doi:10.1080/00313831.2010.522842

30. Makin, Hill, & Pellicano. (2017). The primary-to-secondary school transition for children on the autism spectrum: A multi-informant mixed-methods study. Autism & Developmental Language Impairments. 2: 1–18.

31. Dillon, G. V., & Underwood, J. D. M. (2012). Parental perspectives of students with autism spectrum disorders transitioning from primary to secondary school in the United Kingdom. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 27(2), 111-121. doi:10.1177/1088357612441827

32. Neal, S. & Frederickson, N. (2016). ASD transition to mainstream secondary: a positive experience?, Educational Psychology in Practice, 32(4),355-373, DOI: 10.1080/02667363.2016.1193478

33. Hammond, N. (2016). Making a drama out of transition: Challenges and opportunities at times of change. Research Papers in Education, 31(3), 299-315. doi:10.1080/02671522.2015.1029963

34. Jindal-Snape, D., & Foggie, J. (2008). A holistic approach to primary-secondary-transitions. Improving Schools, 11, 5-18.

35. Booth, M. Z., & Sheehan, H. C. (2008). Perceptions of people and place young adolescents' interpretation of their schools in the United States and the United Kingdom. Journal of Adolescent Research, 23(6), 722-744. doi:{10.1117/0743558408322145

36. Ashton, R. (2008). Improving the transfer to secondary school: How every child's voice can matter. Support for Learning, 23(4), 176-182.

37. Dismore, H., & Bailey, R. (2010). 'It's been a bit of a rocky start': Attitudes toward physical education following transition. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 15(2), 175-191. doi:10.1080/17408980902813935

38. Keay, A., Lang, J., & Frederickson, N. (2015). Comprehensive support for peer relationships at secondary transition. Educational Psychology in Practice, 31(3), 279-292. doi:10.1080/02667363.2015.1052046

39. Davis, J. M., Ravenscroft, J., & Bizas, N. (2015). Transition, inclusion and partnership: Child-, parent- and professional-led approaches in a European research project. Child Care in Practice, 21(1), 33-49. doi:10.1080/13575279.2014.976543

40. Farmer, T. W., Hamm, J. V., Leung, M., Lambert, K., & Gravelle, M. (2011). Early adolescent peer ecologies in rural communities: Bullying in schools that do and do not have a transition during the middle grades. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 40(9), 1106-1117. doi:{10.1007/s10964-011-9684-0

41. Rice, F., Frederickson, N., & Seymour, J. (2011). Assessing pupil concerns about transition to secondary school. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 81(2), 244-263. doi:10.1348/000709910X519333

42. Tobbell, J., & O'Donnell, V. L. (2013). The formation of interpersonal and learning relationships in the transition from primary to secondary school: Students, teachers and school context. International Journal of Educational Research, 59, 11-23. doi:10.1016/j.ijer.2013.02.003

43. Marshall, N. A., & Hargreaves, D. J. (2008). Teachers' views of the primary-secondary transition in music education in England. Music Education Research}, 10(1), 63-74. doi:10.1080/14613800701871389

44. Rainer, P., & Cropley, B. (2015). Bridging the gap – but mind you don't fall. Primary physical education teachers' perceptions of the transition process to secondary school. Education 3-13, 43(5), 445-461. doi:10.1080/03004279.2013.819026

45. Mudaly, V., & Sukhdeo, S. (2015). Mathematics learning in the midst of school transition from primary to secondary school. International Journal of Educational Sciences, 11(3), 244-252.

46. Cueto, S., Guerrero, G., Sugimaru, C., & Zevallos, A. M. (2010). Sense of belonging and transition to high schools in Peru. International Journal of Educational Development, 30(3), 277-287. doi:10.1016/j.ijedudev.2009.02.002

47. Hannah, E. F., & Topping, K. J. (2013). The transition from primary to secondary school: Perspectives of students with autism spectrum disorder and their parents. International Journal of Special Education. 28(1), 1-16.

48. Mackenzie, E., McMaugh, A., & O'Sullivan, K. (2012). Perceptions of primary to secondary school transitions: Challenge or threat? Issues in Educational Research, 22(3), 298-314.

49. Lightfoot, L. & Bond, C. (2013). An exploration of primary to secondary school transition planning for children with Down's syndrome. Educational Psychology in Practice, 29(2), 163-179. doi:10.1080/02667363.2013.800024

50. Ganeson, K. & Ehrich, L C. (2009). Transition into High School: A phenomenological study, Educational Philosophy and Theory: Incorporating ACCESS, 41(1), 60-78, DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-5812.2008.00476.x

51. Hebron, J. S. (2017). School connectedness and the primary to secondary school transition for young people with autism spectrum conditions. British Journal of Educational Psychology, doi:10.1111/bjep.12190

52. Brewin, M., & Statham, J. (2011). Supporting the transition from primary school to secondary school for children who are looked after. Educational Psychology in Practice, 27(4), 365-381. doi:10.1080/02667363.2011.624301

53. Bailey, S., & Baines, E. (2012). The impact of risk and resiliency factors on the adjustment of children after the transition from primary to secondary school. Educational and Child Psychology, 29(1), 47-63.

54. St Clair-Thompson, H., Giles, R., McGeown, S. P., Putwain, D., Clough, P., & Perry, J. (2017). Mental toughness and transitions to high school and to undergraduate study. Educational Psychology, 37(7), 792-809.

55. Benner, A. D., & Wang, Y. (2014). Shifting attendance trajectories from middle to high school: Influences of school transitions and changing school contexts. Developmental Psychology, 50(4), 1288-1301. doi:10.1037/a0035366

56. Waters, S. K., Lester, L., & Cross, D. (2014a). Transition to secondary school: Expectation versus experience. Australian Journal of Education, 58(2), 153-166. doi:{10.1177/0004944114523371

57. Kingery, J. N., Erdley, C. A., & Marshall, K. C. (2011). Peer acceptance and friendship as predictors of early adolescents' adjustment across the middle school transition. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly-Journal of Developmental Psychology, 57(3), 215-243.

58. Tso, M., & Strnadova, I. (2017). Students with autism transitioning from primary to secondary schools: Parents' perspectives and experiences. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 21(4), 389-403. doi:10.1080/13603116.2016.1197324

59. Waters, S., Lester, L., & Cross, D. (2014b). How does support from peers compare with support from adults as students transition to secondary school? Journal of Adolescent Health, 54(5), 543-549. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.10.012

60. Smith, J.S., Akos, P., & Lim, S. (2008). Student and Stakeholder Perceptions of the Transition to High School. The High School Journal. Feb/Mar, 32-42.

61. Duineveld, J. J., Parker, P. D., Ryan, R. M., Ciarrochi, J., & Salmela-Aro, K. (2017). The link between perceived maternal and paternal autonomy support and adolescent well-being across three major educational transitions. Developmental Psychology, 53(10), 1978-1994. doi:10.1037/dev0000364; 10.1037/dev0000364.supp (Supplemental)

62. Frey, A., Ruchkin, V., Martin, A., & Schwab-Stone, M. (2009). Adolescents in transition: School and family characteristics in the development of violent behaviors entering high school. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 40(1), 1-13. doi:10.1007/s10578-008-0105-x

63. Kingdon, D., Serbin, L. A., & Stack, D. M. (2017). Understanding the gender gap in school performance among low-income children: A developmental trajectory analysis. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 41(2), 265-274. doi:10.1177/0165025416631836

64. Longobardi, C., Prino, L. E., Marengo, D., & Settanni, M. (2016). Student-teacher relationships as a protective factor for school adjustment during the transition from middle to high school. Frontiers in Psychology, 7, 1-9.

65. Madjar, N., & Chohat, R. (2017). Will I succeed in middle school? A longitudinal analysis of self-efficacy in school transitions in relation to goal structures and engagement. Educational Psychology, 37(6), 680-694. doi:10.1080/01443410.2016.1179265

66. Lester, L., Waters, S., & Cross, D. (2013). The relationship between school connectedness and mental health during the transition to secondary school: A path analysis. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 23(2), 157-171. doi:10.1017/jgc.2013.20

67. Vaz, S., Falkmer, M., Ciccarelli, M., Passmore, A., Parsons, R., Black, M. (2015). Belongingness in early secondary school: Key factors that primary and secondary schools need to consider. Plos One, 10(9): e0136053.

68. Munthe, E., & Thuen, E. (2009). Lower secondary school teachers' judgements of pupils' problems. Teachers and Teaching, 15(5), 563-578. doi:10.1080/13540600903139571

69. Felmlee, D., McMillan, C., Inara Rodis, P., & Osgood, D. W. (2018). Falling behind: Lingering costs of the high school transition for youth friendships and grades. Sociology of Education, 91(2), 159-182.

70. Lubbers, J. H., Repetto, J. B., & McGorray, S. P. (2008). Perceptions of transition barriers, practices, and solutions in Florida. Remedial and Special Education, 29(5), 280-292. doi:10.1177/0741932507313016

71. Kourmoulaki, A. (2013). Nurture groups in a Scottish secondary school: Purpose, features, value and areas for development. Emotional & Behavioural Diffculties, 18(1), 60-76. doi:10.1080/13632752.2012.693755

72. Bloyce, J. & Frederickson, N. (2012). Intervening to improve the transfer to secondary school, Educational Psychology in Practice, 28(1), 1-18.

73. Foley, T., Foley, S., & Curtin, A. (2016). Primary to post-primary transition for students with special educational needs from an Irish context. International Journal of Special Education, 31(2), 1-27.

74. Vaz, S., Parsons, R., Falkmer, T., Passmore, A. E., & Falkmer, M. (2014b). The impact of personal background and school contextual factors on academic competence and mental health functioning across the primary-secondary school transition. Plos One, 9(3): e89874 di:10.1371/journal.pone.0089874

75. Nielsen, L., Shaw, T., Meilstrup, C., Koushede, V., Bendtsen, P., Rasmussen, M., Cross, D. (2017). School transition and mental health among adolescents: A comparative study of school systems in Denmark and Australia, International Journal of Educational Research, 83, 65-74. doi:10.1016/j.ijer.2017.01.011

76. Arens, A.K., Yeung, A.S., Craven R.G., Watermann, R., & Hasselhorn, M. (2013). Does the timing of transition matter? Comparison of German students' self-perceptions before and after transition to secondary school. International Journal of Educational Research, 57, 1–11.

77. Weiss, C. C., & Baker-Smith, E. (2010). Eighth-grade school form and resilience in the transition to high school: A comparison of middle schools and K-8 schools. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 20(4), 825-839. doi:10.1111/j.1532-7795.2010.00664.x

78. Temkin, D. A., Gest, S. D., Osgood, D. W., Feinberg, M., & Moody, J. (2018). Social network implications of normative school transitions in non-urban school districts. Youth & Society, 50(4), 462-484. doi:10.1177/0044118X15607164

79. Ding, C. S. (2008). Variations in academic performance trajectories during high school transition: Exploring change profiles via multidimensional scaling growth profile analysis. Educational Research and Evaluation, 14(4), 305-319. doi:10.1080/13803610802249357

80. Ellerbrock, C. R., & Kiefer, S. M. (2013). The interplay between adolescent needs and secondary school structures: Fostering developmentally responsive middle and high school environments across the transition. The High School Journal, 96(3), 170-194. doi:10.1353/hsj.2013.0007

81. Knesting, K., Hokanson, C., & Waldron, N. (2008). Settling in: Facilitating the transition to an inclusive middle school for students with mild disabilities. International Journal of Disability Development and Education}, 55(3), 265-276}. doi:10.1080/10349120802268644

82. Maher, D., & Maher, D. (2010). Supporting students' transition from primary school to high school using the internet as a communication tool. Technology, Pedagogy & Education, 19(1), 17-30.

83. Andreas, J.B., & Jackson, K.M. (2015). Adolescent alcohol use before and after the high school transition. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 39(6), 1034-1041.

84. Carmen, B., Waycott, L. & Smith, K. (2011). Rock Up: An initiative supporting students' wellbeing in their transition to secondary school", Children and Youth Services Review. 33(1), 167-172.

85. Dæhlen, M. (2017). Child welfare clients and educational transitions. Child & Family Social Work, 22(1), 317-329.

86. Dann, R. (2011) Secondary transition experiences for pupils with Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASCs). Educational Psychology in Practice: theory, research and practice in educational psychology, 27(3), 293-312.

87. Deacy, E., Jennings, F. & O'Halloran, A. (2015). Transition of students with autistic spectrum disorders from primary to post-primary school: a framework for success. Support for Learning, 30(4), pp. 292-304.

88. Mandy, W., Murin, M., Baykaner, O., Staunton, S., Hellriegel, J., Anderson, S. & Skuse, D. (2016). The transition from primary to secondary school in mainstream education for children with autism spectrum disorder. Autism, 20(1), 5-13.

89. Mandy, W., Murin, M., Baykaner, O., Staunton, S., Cobb, R., Hellriegel, J., Anderson, S. & Skuse, D. (2016). Easing the transition to secondary education for children with autism spectrum disorder: An evaluation of the Systemic Transition in Education Programme for Autism Spectrum Disorder (STEP-ASD). Autism, 20(5), 580-590.

90. Pallisera, M., Fullana, J., Puyaltó, C., & Vilà, M. (2016). Changes and challenges in the transition to adulthood: Views and experiences of young people with learning disabilities and their families. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 31(3), 391-406.

91. Peters, R., & Brooks, R. (2016). Parental perspectives on the transition to secondary school for students with Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism: a pilot survey study. British Journal of Special Education, 43(1), 75-91.

92. Scanlon, G., Barnes-Holmes, Y., McEnteggart, C., Desmond, D. & Vahey, N. (2016). The experiences of pupils with SEN and their parents at the stage of pre-transition from primary to post-primary school. European Journal of Special Needs education, 31(1), 44-58.

93. Strnadova, I. & Cumming, T.M. (2014). The importance of quality transition processes for students with disabilities across settings: Learning from the current situation in New South Wales. Australian Journal of Education, 58(3), 318-33.

94. Strnadova, I., Cumming, T.M. & Danker, J. (2016). Transitions for Students With Intellectual Disability and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder: Carer and Teacher Perspectives. Australian Journal of Special Education, 40(2), 141-156.

95. Wolters, N., Knoors, H., Cillessen, A.H.N. & Verhoeven, L. (2012). Impact of peer and teacher relations on deaf early adolescents' well-being: Comparisons before and after a major school transition. Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, 17(4), 463-482.

96. Yadav, V., O'Reilly, M. & Karim, K. (2010). Secondary school transition: does mentoring help 'at-risk' children? Community Practitioner: The Journal of The Community Practitioners' & Health Visitors' Association, 83(4), 24-28.

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