Softening school transitions for the formative success

Abstract

Youth transitions within the formal educational settings have become a research
focus of the international community. If ignored, they quite possibly
lead to students’ educational failures and behavioural distress; whereas if
properly directed, they predict successful learning, self-fulfilment and generate
a positive social impact.
This paper reports on a systematic review of professional literature identifying
common features that impact students’ school transition. Five higher
order categories are identified: individual, familiar, social, educational and
environmental features.
The result underscores the need for a (more) detailed insight into the students’
transitions from pre-primary to post-secondary school.
Research findings show that moving from lower secondary to higher secondary
school more likely presents risks of a difficult transition. Thus, the
lack of support to this specific transition can affect children’s attainment (up
to drop out of the education system) and wellbeing in the longer term.