The authors investigated whether the constructs measured by the Kindergarten Screening Inventory (KSI) were the same for males and females and for Anglo American, Negro American and Mexican American ethnic groups. Results indicate they are very similar. (Author)

Studied children (N=152) who had resided in same school district for grades one through six to determine if birthdate had effect on academic achievement. Results showed in general that children born in later quarters of year performed less well than children born earlier in the year for grades one through four. (Author/ABL)

Kindergarten measures were significantly predictive of Anglo English speakers, somewhat less accurate for the Mexican American English-speaking group, and generally nonpredictive for Mexican American Spanish speakers. The tests were not language or culture specific. The importance of language as a factor in school screening is underscored. (Author)

Study follows 106 kindergarten students through 11th grade examining the effects of family characteristics, school readiness, socialization, and student demographics on academic achievement and behavioral adjustment outcomes. Results demonstrate that retained students' initial school readiness, socioeconomic status, mother's level of education,…

Describes the Minnesota Preschool Inventory and provides data regarding its validity. Results based on a study of (N=360) prekindergarten children indicated that low scores on certain developmental scales question children's abilities to meet kindergarten expectations. Parent concerns, adjustment scales, and symptoms may point to a need for…

Examines school readiness practices, along with the conceptual problems with the ways that "readiness" and "at risk" are defined. Analyzes methodological problems, delayed school entrance, and focuses on studies that examined future school retention rates, later use of special education services, and drop-out rates. Offers suggestions for best…

Describes early admission as the first step in adjusting formal educational programing to meet the educational, social, and emotional needs of intellectually advanced children. Emphasizes the benefits to the child and potential benefits to society of meeting the intellectually advanced child's needs, advocating that school systems establish early…

The Beery-Butkenica Developmental Test and the Caldwell Test were the best predictors. Combining the academic performance with visual-motor integration results at age seven years yielded 89 percent accuracy of prediction at age nine years. The false-positive rate represents the problem of mislabeling children as school failures. (Author)

Describes a comprehensive program developed on the basis that children can succeed academically when given appropriate resources and support early in life. Describes the philosophy and major elements of the program and reviews major findings from cross-site and longitudinal evaluations. Highlights recent research on factors regarding program…

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a highly structured program would improve the school readiness of disadvantaged preschoolers. Results suggest that curricula should be developed from many diagnostic instruments in both cognitive and social areas. (Author/BY)

Examined construction of different predictive models for readiness for first grade, using data from prekindergarten screening. Found 45.6 percent to 75.9 percent of the children correctly classified. Results indicate that less emphasis should be given to collecting historical screening data and that many social/emotional problems may go undetected…

Evaluated the Screening Test of Academic Readiness (STAR) using a sample of 28 third graders. The third graders' scores on the Peabody Individual Achievement Test were correlated with their total STAR scores from prekindergarten testing. Results showed the STAR is a useful instrument for predicting third grade achievement. (Author/JAC)

Fifth- and sixth-grade aggressive and acting-out students from a Latino community were organized into two groups based on their classroom academic performance. Students who were rated as aggressive but were high on school learning reported more resiliency indicators than those low on school learning. Parental supervision was the key variable…

Describes the First Step to Success early prevention program for preventing development of antisocial behavior patterns among young, at-risk children. The program's three modular components are coordinated and delivered by a school psychologist who serves as a consultant to teachers and parents. Reviews the risk factors and family conditions…

The early childhood educational field has garnered attention with initiatives to foster skill acquisition in young children prior to kindergarten entry. These initiatives, in conjunction with the rigorous demands of curricular reform and a burgeoning accountability movement, invoke questions regarding the adequacy of the instruments used to assess…