In America without excuse every child should start first grade ready to learn. This goal will require that we make high quality preschool available to all 3 and 4 year olds who are at risk of starting first grade behind. Otherwise, gaps in academic achievement between at risk and more affluent children will widen in the first, critically important years and may never close. To those who say it is unrealistic to get every child ready for first grade, Southern Regional Education Board, SREB's, Challenge to Lead Goals for Education ask, "Can we set our sights any lower?" How can you know whether all children in your state are ready for school? This report can help you measure your state's progress toward this goal. It presents an analysis of the availability and quality of prekindergarten programs, schoolreadiness assessments and child health needs in your state and focuses on key questions that should be asked.