This document summarizes presentations made at a national policy forum concerning children's transition from home and preschool to the first years of elementary school. Three presentations by individual speakers examined: (1) the strategic importance of linkages and the transition between early childhood programs and early elementary school; (2) program coordination and other issues in strengthening linkages; and (3) findings and implications of a study on transitions to kindergarten in American schools. Three panel discussions considered the following topics: assessment issues related to transition; policy issues related to developmentally appropriate curricula, parental involvement, and multiculturalism; and administrative issues and barriers to the development of stronger linkages and transition programs. Small group sessions discussed barriers to, strategies for, and policy implications of, the development of transition programs. These sessions also tried to incorporate the information presented in the forum into regional agendas for support of transition programs. Appendices include a list of forum participants and a description of the early childhood program efforts of each of the 10 educational research laboratories. (BC)