Bridging the Gap (BtG) supports successful student transitions from high school to postsecondary, via cross-system, education partnerships. With funding from The James Irvine Foundation, BtG partnerships focus on first-generation college students, students of color, and low-income students who face substantial barriers in meeting their educational…

A group of public education institutions throughout the Salinas Valley came together in 2016 to help more youth in the valley prepare for and succeed in college. In this brief, we draw from interviews with faculty, staff, and administrators, as well as with student focus groups, in order to answer the following question for those interested in…

Long Beach and the Salinas Valley joined Bridging the Gap to smooth transitions for students from high school to postsecondary education. Due to policy reforms at the state and system levels, working across systems increasingly became an immediate and practical need for those seeking to improve student transitions from high school to postsecondary…

Unrest, crime, and poverty in Central America and other parts of the world have led to periodic migrations of unaccompanied children and young refugees into the United States. These children then enroll in U.S. schools--public education for all children, including undocumented children, is a right guaranteed by the 1982 "Plyler v. Doe"…

In 2016, a team of education leaders from the Long Beach College Promise joined Bridging the Gap to build and strengthen student transitions from high school to college. The partners sought to assess and improve the partnership's dual enrollment programs spanning the three public institutions, pilot and implement new career exploration tools and…

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand how the transition services received in high school influence the transition experiences of SWSLD in two community colleges in Maryland. Schlossberg's Transition Theory (1981, 1984) of "Moving In," "Moving Through" and "Moving Out" was the framework for this…

This year's Action Guide examines the need for new ways of measuring student success. Academic test scores are just one method of measuring student progress, offering an incomplete picture of student learning and growth. Educators and state leaders recognize that serving all students well requires focusing on their individual needs, including…

Every child is unique and learns in different ways. Some children are identified as needing special education services to support his or her learning at school. Parents can play a major role in shaping the services a child receives. This guidebook has been written for parents, guardians, and surrogate parents of a child (ages 3 to 21 or…

The transition to high school and the freshman year experience is challenging for most students. This study examined the issues that are often problematic and can prevent many early adolescent learners from thriving during their first year of high school. The literature review focuses on three strands salient to this study: early adolescent…

This technical report presents the findings of a study of perceptions of elementary public school educators regarding the academic and social emotional needs, existing institutional supports, and potential areas for improving school responsiveness to educational obstacles faced by military-connected children experiencing transitions and parental…

Public schools must make available special education and related services to all IDEA-eligible (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) students with disabilities beginning at age three and through age 18. Services to students, ages 19, 20, and 21, are permissive. That means the decision to serve 19, 20 and 21-year-old students is determined…

This case study examined the relationship between an educational agency and a human service agency in providing services to juvenile offenders in a county-operated correctional facility as they transition to the local public school system. It urges juvenile justice and public school systems to work together to effectively meet the needs of this…

As students grow and develop, schools should be able to respond and provide an appropriate education for them. Six continua are involved in the educational development of a student: organization of knowledge, source of curriculum ideas, purpose of curriculum, learning processes, role of the teacher, and role of the student. These continua can…

Because schools and school districts are struggling and offering fewer academic services, many students do not get the services and the individualized attention they need to succeed in public school. A particular group of students, those in transition from middle school to high school, are particularly affected by cutting supplemental academic…

Ninety-two parents of disabled infants and preschoolers were surveyed to identify parents' concerns regarding their children's transition into San Francisco public preschool special education programs and to determine what information and services were most helpful. Parent concerns included lack of information about school district services and…