Research to policy: Transition to school position statement

This chapter describes the collaborative development of the Transition to School: Position Statement. This statement consolidates a wide range of research into a document to inform and guide research, policy and practice in the area of transition to school. This chapter outlines the beliefs underpinning the statement and the structure of the document and investigates how the statement could be used to enhance the transition to school experiences of as many children as possible. In describing the development of the statement, notions of research evidence are explored, including what counts as evidence, who uses evidence, which evidence is used most or considered most reliable, and how evidence is translated into policy and practice. The context in which research informs policy and practice is examined and the processes of policy development and practical implementation of research are analysed. Finally, the role and purpose of position statements as forms of advocacy are discussed.