Findings of a recent Oregon Department of Education survey of elementary school principals are reported. In fall, 1988, questionnaires were mailed to 789 elementary school principals in the state. A total of 694 responded. The survey was designed to provide insight into important trends in kindergarten and first grade. The following topics were covered: (1) class size; (2) aide time; (3) number of kindergarten teachers per building; (4) kindergarten schedules; (5) home visits, parent-teacher conferences, and parent volunteers; (6) early entrance policies; (7) retention and transition classrooms; and (8) use of textbooks to teach reading and writing and other curriculum areas. Each of the eight sections of this report includes survey results and a brief commentary citing current national trends and research on the topic in question. Recommendations of the Department's Early Childhood Advisory Committee are also included in each section. (RH)