The Even Start program was authorized by Congress in 1988 to provide early childhood, adult, and parenting education to participating families in a family literacy initiative. This document provides an executive summary of the National Evaluation of Even Start, which assessed services, participants and effectiveness. The summary highlights topics such as the program's organization, implementation, and effects. Among the findings summarized are the following: (1) in its first 4 years, the program served more than 20,000 families, most of whom had incomes under $10,000 per year and were headed by parents who did not complete high school; (2) the cost was about $2,500 per family per year; and (3) the program produced effects such as helping parents attain GEDs and improving their literacy skills, and helping children increase their school readiness and vocabulary. The summary concludes by noting lessons learned from the program, specifically the importance of a high level of program participation for parents and children and the importance of parent interest as a way to improve children's gains. (JW)