To conceptualize and assess school transition stress, it uses the theoretical framework and research on occupational role strain in adulthood as a model and suggests that early adolescents experience role strain in the exercise of their roles as students. This framework contributed to the development of the Early Adolescent School Role Strain Inventory (EASRSI) to assess school related strains coming from school, home, and peer group. The strains that early adolescents may experience as students are identified. The results of this study show that the EARSI is a highly reliable and valid tool and suggests that it can enable researchers and school personnel to identify specific strains and other indicators of school related stress to create beneficial school environments. 3 tables and 46 references. (Author Abstract Modified)