Discusses assumptions and pressures underlying academic redshirting for kindergartners. Examines teachers' and parents' beliefs about kindergarten readiness. Summarizes research on the effects of the academic and social domains of delaying children's entry into school. Offers suggestions for early childhood educators about how to help families in…

This study examined whether school entrance age was related to academic and social performance and whether the proportion of students referred to various programs correlated with age. Older students received more referrals for gifted evaluation, younger students received more placements in pre-first grade, and boys received more referrals for…

Compares child care standards in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Addresses variability among states in provisions of child care regulations, the adequacy of standards at the lower end of the range, and the disparity between state and national criteria for high quality care. (Author/BB)

As part of a larger Slovene longitudinal study on the impact of the preschool institution on the child's development and his or her school achievements, effects of the age at entry to preschool on children's language were explored. The sample included 82 children, who were divided into two groups depending on their age at entry to the preschool…

Worldwide enrollment in primary education has grown from 332 million in 1960 to 593 million in 1988. Despite this increase, a sizable proportion of primary school-age children in developing countries are not enrolled in school. In Sub-Saharan Africa, 56 million students are enrolled in primary education, but 38 million (49%) of the region's…

Suggestions for early childhood educators on how to provide developmentally appropriate practices and teaching methods are offered. Suggestions concern: (1) making decisions about entrance and placement; (2) evaluating a program's accomplishment of goals; (3) planning and individualizing curriculum and instruction; and (4) promoting appropriate…

Concern at an elementary school that the level of successful first grade readiness for high risk kindergarten children was 62 percent, while the level of success for non-risk kindergartners was 100 percent, prompted a program for improving the readiness skills of high-risk kindergarten students described in this report. Chapter one describes Stout…

To evaluate the long term impact of developmental placement, a longitudinal study was initiated with over 500 subjects from a variety of school settings across the state of Michigan. Three groups of subjects were selected: (1) children recommended for a "growth year" before entering kindergarten who followed the recommendation, thus…

Noting that there are special considerations to take into account when creating appropriate and effective programs for young children, this issue of Progress of Education Reform focuses on early childhood care and education. The report is intended for use by policymakers who are considering implementing and/or reforming early care and education…

Research on early childhood education, child development, and school readiness is used to support the argument that formal schooling for children under 8 or 10 years old is less desirable than home-based instruction. Research on neurophysiology, social-emotional development, cognitive development, school entrance age, parental potential, and other…

Notes that the practice of delaying school entrance for summer-born children, especially boys, to give them some academic advantage, is not substantiated by sufficient research. Describes a subsequent study indicating higher achievement for children held-out than those entering school on time. Argues for more research and consideration of the…

Discusses four educational methods designed to deal with the risk of kindergarten failure. Methods include increased provision of prekindergarten programs; adoption of a later school entrance age; a developmental placement system; and a continuous progress plan with multi-age groupings. (BB)

Discusses background information, research, and educational implications related to kindergarten readiness. Topics that receive particular attention are testing, placement, and curricular practices and age of entry into school. (BB)

This article: (1) profiles kindergarten policies and practices currently implemented in district schools; (2) analyzes the research supporting the major policy alternatives for six common kindergarten and school entry age issues that all school districts must address; and (3) identifies the optimum policy option alternative for each issue based on…

A recently implemented program in a decentralized provincial district of Papua New Guinea delays the entry of children into English-medium primary school for two years, during which time the children are taught literacy in a village-based school in their indigenous language, a pidgin, with the local customs and culture as the basis of the…