This report identifies changes that schools must make in their kindergarten and primary programs if they are to contribute to rather than hinder progress toward the achievement of school readiness for all children, as expressed in goal one of the America 2000 initiative. Schools need to: (1) implement developmentally appropriate curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices; (2) disregard the results of norm-referenced achievement tests for the assessment of the progress or potential of preschool and primary-age children; (3) refrain from retaining at-risk children or forcing them to start school later; (4) increase funds for early intervention programs in the primary grades, especially tutoring by certified teachers; (5) increase parental involvement and participation; (6) adopt formal, written policies to improve teacher-parent communication; (7) require that primary school teachers and administrators have formal training in child development and early childhood education; (8) have increased flexibility in the way they use state and federal funds, but be held accountable for producing the desired results. Specific programs developed to implement these policies are highlighted. (Contains 15 references.) (MDM)