The United States Education Department recognizes projects that effectively meet the special needs of educationally deprived students. In 1992, the Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Chapter 1 preschool program earned national validation as an "unusually successful" compensatory education program. The program has served as a statewide model, and has helped hundreds of at-risk children enter school on an equal educational basis with other children for over 20 years. The program has two components. The Parent-Child Home Program (PCHP) for 2- and 3-year-old children is a home-based program that fosters verbal interaction between preschoolers and their parents, thereby supporting children's cognitive growth. Paraprofessionals teach parents to effectively use developmentally appropriate materials and activities with their toddlers. The school-based Four-Year-Old's Program serves as a transition between the PCHP and kindergarten, and consolidates and extends the educational gains the child has made in the PCHP. Activities reinforce or introduce basic readiness skills, and foster social growth and physical development. Other vital elements of Pittsfield's program are: (1) coordination with the regular school program; (2) the provision of feedback through the monitoring of student progress; (3) strong leadership; (4) professional development and training; (5) parent and community involvement; (6) positive school and classroom climates; (7) recognition given to children for positive behavior or performance; and (8) the use of evaluation results for program improvement. (TJQ)