In recent years, many states have expanded their state-funded prekindergarten programs, drawing on evidence that public investments in early childhood education bring substantial returns in children's educational trajectories and a more skilled future workforce. Evidence also suggests that returns to early education may be larger for children of…

Best preschool programs provide both developmentally appropriate curricula and school-based family support services. This article describes four exemplary, innovative, and low-cost early education programs in Kentucky, Colorado, Iowa, and Florida that integrate family support, day care, and health and social services. These districts had visionary…

Describes a project designed to bring books and services to children unlikely to go to public libraries. A library system of seven child care centers was involved. Included are nine sample activity kit cards, a list of 41 readings for child caregivers, and 26 folktales for children four-five. (RJC)

There is a strong relationship between students' socioeconomic status and their levels of academic achievement. Although educators should be held accountable for improving the performance of all students, including those living in poverty, schools alone can't eliminate the negative factors associated with poverty that lead to a large achievement…

This study was conducted to identify and validate the work-related problems of public school teachers in Florida's Prekindergarten Early Intervention Program which targets economically at-risk 3- and 4-year olds. The study was designed to answer three questions: (1) What problems are perceived to be most bothersome and occur most frequently? (2)…

Describes two Head Start projects designed to make the transition from preschool to kindergarten less stressful for Head Start children and their families. Programs are the Mille Lacs Reservation Head Start program in Minnesota and the East Coast Migrant Head Start project in Fort Pierce, Florida. Project evaluations are summarized. (BB)

A community-wide and preschool bicycle helmet program was developed to educate the public about the importance of helmets for children and to offer helmets at reduced prices. Results of the project showed that education efforts in conjunction with an incentive component led to increases in the purchasing of helmets. (SM)

Describes the "Learning Luggage" program implemented in an early intervention preschool class, in which students take home a selection of science, math, creative arts, or language arts activities in a suitcase. Children and their parents complete the activities together and exchange the suitcase for a different one each week. Discusses…

This report describes Head Start preschool programs in Broward County, Florida, and examines the goals, expected outcomes, and parental satisfaction levels of the programs. It is based on interviews with program staff, federal and local reports, telephone surveys of parents of 57 randomly selected first-graders who attended Head Start in the…

During FY 1977 the Florida Migratory Child Compensatory Program (FMCCP) served 45,511 migrant children in approximately 27 school districts. The program consisted of four major educational components (early childhood, language arts, Learn and Earn, and supportive services) planned specifically for migrant children based on the results of a needs…

During FY 1976, the Florida Migratory Child Compensatory Program (FMCCP) served 43,225 migrant children. Consisting of four major educational components (early childhood, language arts, Learn and Earn, and supportive services), FMCCP was committed to providing preventative education (preschool services), and compensatory education (language arts,…