This report describes a program for increasing student readiness for and achievement in mathematics. The targeted population consists of third grade students in an expanding suburban community and kindergarten students in a culturally diverse urban community, both located in Northern Illinois. The problems of achievement in and attitudes towards…

One strategy that can provide immediate results in improving African American kindergarten students' success in school is improving attendance. This study examined the effect of school attendance on African American kindergarten students' learning readiness. Thirty kindergarten students in three classrooms at one Chicago school completed the…

Minimum language skills for kindergarten success are described and defined as "school readiness language." A school-readiness-language checklist gives a procedure for documenting a child's level of language skill. Specific techniques are presented to remedy documented gaps within the context of the kindergarten classroom. (Author)

Attempts to determine the relationship between self-concept and the academic readiness of kindergarten children using a sample of 49 children from four to six years of age. Also investigated the relationship between self-concept and other variables such as educational level of parents, family income, and marital status of parents. (RH)

Findings supported the theory that children born late in the year are significantly more likely to be referred for academic problems in the primary grades than are children born early in the year. (CL)

The responses of 322 beginning first graders to the six subtests of the Metropolitan Readiness Test were factor analyzed. A single General Readiness factor appeared to best describe the instrument. Implications for use of the Metropolitan Readiness Test are briefly discussed. (Author)

Examines whether retention continues to be embraced by North Carolina teachers. Surveys (1) how many children were promoted but considered (by teachers) not ready for promotion; and (2) reasons given for retention and/or lack of readiness for first grade. Notes that as many children were retained as were deemed not ready for first grade but were…

Describes a study to determine a nongraded, continuous-progress program's effects on five- and six-year-old students' attitudes toward school, readiness scores, and mastery of subject matter. Results found no statistically significant difference in readiness scores between kindergarten students in traditional classes and those in nongraded…

Investigated the outcomes from a transitional first grade school readiness program (SRP). Students recommended for SRP placement yet not placed did not exhibit significant second grade differences compared with the year-older SRP-placed students across achievement, related services, parental factors, or teacher rating outcomes. This finding is…

The relationships among transitional first-grade referrals, school characteristics, and children's personal and school readiness characteristics were studied with 223 students referred to developmental first-grade programs. Results indicate the complexity of referrals to transitional first-grade programs and identify characteristics of children…

Survey conducted of public and private school districts (N=755) in New York ascertained procedures and instruments used to conduct kindergarten screening. The Developmental Indicators for the Assessment of Learning, and the Brigance K and 1 Screen were the most widely used instruments. The majority of respondents (95%) reported that screening is…

A mother of one set of boy-girl twins observes that boys and girls use different strategies for learning. Contends that educators and child development specialists need to reevaluate the criteria they use to determine readiness for school. (MLF)

To evaluate the adequacy and efficiency of preschool education, the RAND Corporation has undertaken the California Preschool Study to improve understanding of achievement gaps in the early elementary grades, the adequacy of preschool education currently given, and what efficiencies or additional resources might be brought to bear in early care and…

This information packet contains nine articles that outline current trends in kindergarten retention/exclusion and their negative impact on student outcomes, particularly for high risk students. The 1980s saw increasing numbers of children required to repeat kindergarten, attend a transitional grade before first grade, or wait an extra year before…

The practice of delaying students' entrance into kindergarten raises several questions. This literature review asks: (1) How does the entrance age of kindergarten children affect academic achievement?; (2) Do age-eligible older students perform better academically than younger students?; (3) Do year-older or "red-shirted" students have…