The evaluation expectations for supervisors observing teacher effectiveness in the classroom are discussed. The classroom observer can identify and describe teaching effectiveness. A trained supervisor should have many frameworks for observing teachers based on the needs of the teacher, type of lesson, and maturity of the students. The use of…

National Assessment of Educational Progress data in reading, mathematics, and science for Caucasian children were analyzed. Using regression analysis for three age groups, nine, thirteen, and seventeen year olds, a trend analysis was plotted. The changing achievement relationships between these students relative to their classmates and their age…

This booklet describes in detail the research phase and the subsequent innovations of the investigation of school readiness in 6- and 7-year-old Polish children. The research focused on three problems: (1) to discover reliable methods of evaluating school readiness; (2) to state relations between the child's developmental level and environmental…

Provides rationales based on current research for extending the length of kindergarten school day and for lowering entrance age to four years. Considers a variety of environmental and educational factors. A holistic view of these educational changes is suggested so that the long-range impact on the child, the school, and the elementary school…

Reviews research on the academic performance of early entrants, noting that damaging consequences for children who are not developmentally mature may continue throughout their school careers. Suggests possible ways to reduce the magnitude of the "unready" child's problem. (KS)

This study examined the impact of pupil age at time of school entry in a large public school in Bronx, New York. Results from a literacy assessment were examined for kindergarten, first-, and second-grade students. The assessment rated children on their knowledge of the alphabet, sight-word vocabulary, phonemic awareness, reading, and writing…

Examined school entrance age effect on academic achievement and social-emotional adjustment among 137 fourth graders. Found that differences between 73 oldest and 64 youngest subjects, identified in first grade, persisted in part to fourth grade. Younger subjects scored lowest in mathematics and oral and silent reading comprehension; were slower…

Investigated the effects of kindergarten schedules and preschool experience on elementary school students' success. Results indicated that children who attended preschool experienced greater success in elementary school than those who did not. Childrens' participation in full-day kindergarten was positively related to their school performance…

Describes a study that compared academic achievement indices of summer birth date seventh-ninth graders (n=45) who entered kindergarten at age five with indices of similar summer birth date children who entered at age six (n=45). All statistically significant differences favored older males and females, especially in reading for older males. (SM)

In 1985, Virginia state law was amended to change the birth date for automatic eligibility for kindergarten from December 31 to September 30. The law allowed school districts to admit young children with birthdays from October 1 through December 31, provided the children were tested for kindergarten readiness. Testing for admission to school for…

In the Mesa, Arizona, public schools, 4-year-old children with birthdays during the period from September to December were allowed to enter kindergarten if they passed the district screening test. Kindergarten teachers disagreed with this policy and recommended that, with no exceptions, the district no longer enroll 4-year-old children.…

Several current educational practices have narrowed the kindergarten and primary grade curriculum, constricted equal educational opportunity, and curtailed the exercise of professional responsibility of early childhood educators. In response to these trends, the National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Education…

The major goals of this practicum were (1) to initiate a preschool screening program to identify children with special needs in the Lower Township School District, Cape May, New Jersey; (2) to refer these children to appropriate remedial services prior to their entrance into kindergarten; and (3) to provide opportunities for parents to attend…

When high ability students (N=19) who had entered college before 15 years of age were compared, 50 years later, with equally intelligent students who entered college between 16 to 20 years of age, results found both groups equal in psychosocial adjustment and longterm achievement though younger college students were more often rated as high…