Presents the findings from a nationwide survey by the Educational Research Service, Inc. of principals on early childhood education. (MD)

Long term studies of students who participated in preschool education programs show that the differences and effects are not in test scores but in children's ability to meet teachers' expectations and to avoid being labeled failures.(MD)

Discusses a study of three high-quality curriculum models designed for disadvantaged preschoolers: programed learning, open-framework (teacher and child-initiated activities), and child-centered. While the study showed that diverse curriculum models can be equally effective, the age 15 data point to child-initiated learning activities as most…

Studies confirm the educational advantages and cost-effectiveness of high-quality early childhood programs and have made more persuasive the argument for developing such programs. The most important determinants of such programs are: group size, qualifications and training of staff, stability of care, and adult-child ratio. (MD)

There is an explosion of new research describing writing stages and how young children learn about reading by learning to write first. Teachers can develop environments in which students can freely explore writing in no-fail situations. By being guided by childrens' spontaneous learning efforts many inapropriate teaching techniques can be avoided.…

Summarizes 1970-85 educational trends and projections. Highlights increasing preschool, minority, and public elementary school enrollment, declining numbers of public elementary schools, increasing numbers of private and middle schools, fewer teachers (until the late 1980s), higher teacher salaries, growing dependency on state revenues, and…

Young children think and learn differently, yet early childhood education is now subject to new pressures. Many believe that early exposure to technology accelerates mental development and improves sensory and mental capacity. There is no factual support for this idea. Children who grow up with technology are not necessarily more proficient with…

Preschool intervention may be effective for economically disadvantaged children but not for middle-class children. Yet many preschool children need universally available day care. The best way to provide this would be to work with the schools. The author promotes the return to concept of the community school as a local center for all social…