Educators at both preschool and kindergarten levels must work together to create developmental continuity and improve the chances of school success for all children. Four strategies of preparation and transition are discussed. (12 references) (SI)

The importance of the principal's role in making a teacher's first year successful is documented in this Research Report, which examines the needs of new teachers and how they can be addressed. It discusses problems related to their inexperience and how principals can instill in them the confidence they often lack. (Contains 4 online resources.)

Discusses the environmental, sociological, physical, and psychological elements of learning styles as well as how to put learning styles to work in the instructional program. (WD)

Neurologist Richard M. Restak discusses empirical research that demonstrates significant brain-sex differences between males and females. He asserts that the typical primary classroom is geared to skills that come naturally to girls but develop slowly in boys, while the reverse is true in higher level science classes. (Author/WD)

Described is a nongraded, multi-aged program developed at John Campbell School in Selah, Washington. The program is intended to bridge the development gap between kindergarten and second grade. (SI)

A longitudinal study of the ego and cognitive development of boys and girls revealed that sex-different socialization practices cause the two sexes to create different premises about the world, develop different competencies, and use different cognitive structures to deal with new experience. (Author/WD)

Explored is a practical method to measure the success of special education students using regular curriculum materials. The approach involves a strategy called Curriculum Based Assessment (CBA). CBA utilizes skill probes to provide data on a child's acquisition of basic skills. (six references) (SI)

Discusses the need for the development of school-university collaboration in the school reform movement. Describes three successful collaborative projects showing the positive effects gained from such collaborations. Includes a sidebar outlining the essentials for such partnerships and a list of references. (MD)