The way in which children's transition to primary school is managed can set the stage not only for children's school success, but also their response to future transitions. This study examined transition experiences of young children, their families, and their early childhood and primary school teachers, by means of interviews and detailed…

Starting school is a transition marked by excitement, trepidation, happiness, or sadness for all involved. This issue of the Australian Early Childhood Association Research in Practice Series discusses some of the issues described as important by children, parents, and preschool and elementary educators in an interview study of children's…

This paper presents an expanded definition of school readiness that includes the skills children possess as they begin formal school as well as the ways that family backgrounds, preschool experiences, and primary-grade classrooms interact with children to point them toward school success or failure. The paper notes five dimensions of school…

A sample of 176 first-grade children was tested on the Metropolitan Readiness Tests, 1976 Edition (MRT), during the initial month of school and was retested eight months later on the Stanford Achievement Test. Results demonstrated substantial validity of the MRT for predicting first-grade achievement. (Author/CTM)

Discusses the importance of parents' helping children to read from birth and notes the most crucial and enjoyable way is reading aloud to children. Presents six basic skills that parents can help new readers to use: getting help from pictures; remembering; sounding out the letters; expecting what comes next; writing; and making sense of content.…

Identifies the elements of a comprehensive community college terrorism preparedness program and outlines the rationale for a national network of community college programs devoted to homeland security. Argues that community colleges are an ideal venue for reaching the general public, providing information about disasters, and developing service…

Discusses ways in which community colleges are lending their expertise and experience to help make the nation safer after the September 11th attacks. Reports that community colleges are instituting public safety and cybersecurity measures on their campuses and teaching others to do the same. Adds that community colleges are also training public…

Discusses the seven principles of the Hand in Hand early childhood program for at-risk preschoolers designed to furnish the children with the tools they need to lessen their risk for failure on entry to kindergarten. Notes risk factors under which the students live, including violence, abandonment, homelessness, starvation, and abuse. (Author/SD)

The use of readiness assessment rather than chronological age for admission to kindergarten is proposed. The article examines why this approach is needed, how it might be accomplished, and the relative advantages of admitting by readiness assessment compared to chronological age. (JDD)

To predict an at-risk group of kindergarten students, structured input from 34 parents was obtained, in addition to results of a standardized screening instrument. Results indicated that both parents' input and standardized tests contributed uniquely to the early identification of children at risk for not achieving in school. (Author/JDD)

Analyzes early childhood evaluation policies as implemented by state departments of education in the United States. Data were collected from 48 states (2 states declined participation) concerning: (1) kindergarten and school entrance screening, (2) kindergarten exit and first grade entrance testing, and (3) testing in the primary grades. (NH)

Unfortunately, schools will probably not change much. To prepare for the year 2000, American education must have early childhood readiness programs, a longer teaching day for secondary schools, increased management responsibilities for principals, improved teacher training and tenure law, restricted TV access for students, student and teacher…

The six goals for improvement of American education, on which the Goals 2000 project are based, are examined and the value of having those objectives is discussed. The goals address school readiness, high school graduation rate, basic competencies, science and mathematics achievement, education for global participation, and quality learning…

Describes 3 of 17 innovative educational programs funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the Southern Governors' Association. Projects were designed to meet at least one of the four National Education Goals important to ARC: school readiness; adult literacy and lifelong learning; math-science education; and dropout prevention. (LP)

Cites demographic figures showing that U.S. children are an endangered species. Educators alone cannot "fix" the problems of education, because dealing with poverty's root causes must involve health care, housing, transportation, job training, and social welfare bureaucracies. The United States has the resources, if not the will, to reduce the…