This report addresses problems associated with school readiness and offers recommendations intended to help the 15 member states of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) meet goals that were adopted in 1988. After discussing the importance of school readiness, the report lists some obstacles to readiness that are especially prevalent in the South, such as high infant mortality rates, high levels of poverty, and poor health care. It encourages all public policies and programs in the SREB states to confront these concerns and overcome such barriers to change as the fragmentation of social services, inadequate funding, and lack of local responsibility. The report recommends that states: (1) establish statewide strategic plans for children and families with specific goals and objectives; (2) identify and provide expectant parents with information about available services; (3) assure that children receive preventive health care; (4) ensure that children have a continuous relationship with at least one nurturing, healthy adult; (5) ensure that children are nurtured in a safe environment; (6) ease the transition of children into the educational system; (7) institute comprehensive health education in all grades; (8) take aggressive steps to streamline and standardize program eligibility requirements; and (9) identify common regional issues and work to address them. (Contains 84 references.) (MDM)