Kansas Early Childhood Research Institute on Transitions: Executive Summary.

This executive summary reviews activities over the past 5 years of the Kansas Early Childhood Research Institute (KECRI). The Institute has addressed transition issues faced by infants and young children (and their families) who have a disability or are at risk for developmental delay. KECRI goals are stated and the importance and impact of the Institute's research program are summarized. Principles of the KECRI Model of Transitions are noted. During this period KECRI conducted 11 research projects and an overarching continuing longitudinal study, trained 63 graduate students, disseminated findings at over 300 professional meetings and 200 pre-and inservice training sessions, and published almost 200 papers and chapters. Seven major research projects are summarized: (1) "Planning the Transition from the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) to the Home" (Nancy E. Meck); (2) "Transitioning Preschool Children with Severe and Profound Multiple Disabilities from a Special Education Classroom Program into Mainstream Montessori Preschool and Child Care Programs (Barbara Thompson and Jane Wegner); (3) "Verbal Interactive Skills Training for Transitions" (Mabel L. Rice and Kim A. Wilcox); (4) "Programming Successful Classroom Transitions: Assessment of Children's Survival Skills and Classroom Requirements" (Judith J. Carta et al.); (5) "Promoting Successful Transition to the Primary Grades: Prediction of Reading Problems in Speech and Language Impaired Children" (Hugh W. Catts); (6) "Role of Professionals in Successful Transitions" (Winnie Dunn); and (7) "The Longitudinal Study of Families and Children in Transition" (Marion O'Brien et al.). (Contains 22 references.) (DB)