The goal of this conference was to assist early childhood professionals in their efforts to provide training to parents and family-focused, community-based transitions between preschool and school. The conference was also designed to assure children access to a high quality, developmentally appropriate preschool; adequate nutrition; and health…

The purpose of the Chapter 1 Early Childhood Education Program in Portland Public Schools is to provide disadvantaged children the experiences needed to ameliorate the disadvantages resulting from their circumstances. This evaluation report of the 1989-90 school year concludes the program's 18th year of operation. The preschool program consisted…

This compilation of ERIC Digests describes issues, highlights exemplary programs and promising practices, and explains research results that can assist educators in achieving the far-reaching national education goals adopted by the President and the governors in 1990. The two lead digests are "An Overview of the Six National Education…

The Sam Houston State University Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa used a 32-item questionnaire to collect discrete data on early childhood programs in Texas. Also collected were individuals' impressions, attitudes, and readiness plans for early childhood program expansion. The survey was a response to legislative developments, particularly a 1990 Texas…

The predictive validity of an original Piagetian instrument (the Piagetian Task Instrument) was compared with that of two frequently used published screening tests for children entering kindergarten: (1) the Brigance K-1 Screen, and (2) the Merrill Language Screening Test. The relative contribution of each test was determined when they were…

A coordinated continuum of comprehensive, community-based services that help Minneapolis parents meet the developmental needs of their children from birth through the fifth year is proposed as a way to increase children's readiness for school. After an executive summary and brief introductory chapter, contents of the document focus on: (1) key…

This paper describes an external evaluation study of the Responsive Environment Early Education Program (formerly known as the Responsive Environment Program for Spanish American Children), an educational intervention program for "high risk" (low birth weight) 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old children in Clovis, New Mexico. Major goals of the…

An intervention program for 3, 4, and 5-year-old "high risk" (of low birth weight and with various handicaps) Spanish American children, REPSAC aims at providing successful experiences using the concept of responsive environment in English and Spanish language development and in improving cognitive and affective development. During…

This paper reports findings of a main study and a corollary study designed to clarify the relationship between interpersonal and intrapersonal language by examining the spontaneous classroom interpersonal verbal output of children 4-5 years old in relation to social class and intelligence. The report presents (1) preparation of the data of the…

This study investigated the changing achievement relationships among Black and White students based on ages at entry into first grade. The data indicated that, for both groups, the significantly higher achievement of the oldest students at age 9 disappeared by age 17. (Author/BW)

Early childhood education has received an increasing amount of attention in the last two decades in the United States and in other countries. There is now a strong consensus on the many benefits of preschool. Studies have shown that attending a high-quality preschool program not only increases children's readiness for kindergarten, but also causes…

"Harvard Education Letter" is published bimonthly at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. This issue of "Harvard Education Letter" contains the following articles: (1) Testing Goes to Preschool: Will State and Federal Testing Programs Advance the Goal of School Readiness for All Children? (Robert Rothman); (2)…

The goal of ensuring that all children are "ready for school" has become a national priority. As a result, programs that support children's school readiness are becoming more and more important to policy-makers, funders, and parents. It is becoming very clear that efforts to improve school success cannot begin at kindergarten, nor focus…

The National Center for Rural Early Childhood Learning Initiatives at Mississippi State University, known as Rural Early Childhood, commissioned the nonpartisan research organization Child Trends to conduct such an analysis of the ECLS-K and ECLS-B baseline data, focusing on selected indicators related to child and family health and socioeconomic…

A Senate committee hearing received testimony on the educational needs of Native Hawaiian families and young children and on existing programs that serve them. Oral and written statements were presented by Senators, parents, teachers, school and program administrators, and organizations concerned with Native education and culture. These statements…