Findings by C. Ripple and colleagues justify a continued role for the federal Head Start program, but only if Head Start invests seriously and consistently in high-quality programs and ends the present fragmentation of services. Calls for effective technical assistance to programs and active collaboration with other agencies. (SLD)

Used data from the 1993 National Household Education Survey to analyze factors influencing cognitive readiness among 1,710 preschoolers. Results indicated that for high-risk children, culture-related activities were associated with higher cognitive development levels and lower variability in cognitive readiness. Parental involvement was more…

It is believed that learners who experience barriers to learning and development are at risk for formal education and that stimulation can off set these barriers, ensuring that learners are able to actualise their potential. An intervention programme was designed with the aim of improving abilities in learners who had not yet attained the learning…

This study followed 515 4-year-olds from Head Start entry to exit to investigate their social and behavioral skills and the impact of these skills on school readiness outcomes. Results indicated that, on average, social skills improved across the preschool year, while behavior problems remained relatively stable. Social skills and behavior…

Investing in children reduces poverty and strengthens the nation's economy. But how does one determine which investments in children yield the greatest benefits over the long term? In this paper, Voices for America's Children examines the effectiveness of select education and intervention programs that demonstrate proven results and desirable…

This study queried 592 parents in Florida, Kansas, and New Jersey regarding their children's upcoming transition to preschool or kindergarten. Children of 222 of the parents had disabilities. Families were selected randomly from preschool programs on state lists. Parents responded to 29 items using a 4-point Likert scale and to 3 open-ended…

The A.I.M. (Avondale Integrative Model) Program of Avondale School District in Auburn Hills, Michigan, is a developmental, language-based, preschool program, combining federally funded Head Start and district-funded Pre-Primary Impaired programs. The program is designed to utilize a developmentally appropriate curriculum in order to successfully…

The Illinois Prekindergarten At-Risk Program provides early childhood experiences to enhance the development of children at risk of academic failure. This report presents a summary and analysis of the annual evaluation data obtained from school districts participating in this program for the 1990-91 school year. The report includes the following…

Describes research in which the mind-content (information, imagery, thoughts or concepts formulated by the individual) of 5-year-old, low-income children was studied through interviews concerning their neighborhoods, grocery stores, mothers, and neighbors. Implications and recommendations are included. (ED)

The purpose of these studies was to provide information on the Dallas Preschool Screening Test (DPST). While the DPST is widely used in Texas, little research on the instrument exists. Study 1 provides data on the predictive validity of the DPST for total and component scores of the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS). It was hypothesized…

Responding to Dr. Meisels' article concerning the uses and abuses of the Gesell readiness tests, the Gesell Institute of Child development maintains that the Gesell series of assessments are used by schools to gain a fuller developmental understanding of the child and have been predictive of school success. (BB)

In operation since 1988, the Michigan School Readiness Program (MSRP) provides high-quality preschool programs for children who may be at risk of becoming educationally disadvantaged and who may have needs for special assistance. This manual provides guidelines for implementing all aspects of the program, including applying for funding, recruiting…

The Texas Education Agency awarded twenty competitive grants to Head Start programs in the state. The focus of the grants was on emergent literacy and pre-reading skills. Teachers, mentors, and administrators underwent intensive training. To investigate whether children emerged from the grant programs ready to enter school reading, an outside…

The purpose of this study is to contribute information in the field of dynamic assessment regarding the Application of Cognitive Functions Scale (ACFS) (C. Lidz and R. Jepsen, 1996). The goal of this new procedure is to help establish a zone of proximal development and to assess the young child's emerging skills necessary for school learning.…

The Kindergarten Readiness Survey (KRS), using data collected by kindergarten teachers across the state, was determined to be an effective way to measure the effect of preschools and childcare settings preparing students to enter the K-12 education system. This approach allows for a more valid evaluation of programs and accurate assessment of…