An in-depth assessment of all aspects of the San Francisco School District's Child Development Program (CDP) was conducted. Assessment measures included: (1) on-site observations of preschool, kindergarten, and school-age child care classroom environments and of teacher behaviors and sensitivity; (2) reviews of physical environments and provisions for health and safety; (3) parent questionnaires and meetings with parent focus groups (conducted in English, Spanish, and Chinese); (4) parent involvement questionnaires completed by site managers; (5) site manager and teacher interviews; (6) teaching staff questionnaires; (7) meetings and focus groups with the three unions representing various employees of the CDP; (8) meetings and interviews with school district administrators; and (9) site profiles. The assessment found that: (1) the program lacks a clearly articulated mission statement and a unified curricular framework; (2) lines of authority are unclear and record-keeping systems are antiquated; (3) there is poor communication at all levels; (4) parents are a badly neglected resource; (5) many classrooms are shabby, and lack appropriate materials and basic supplies; (6) little attention is paid to cultural sensitivity; (7) staffing costs are high, but there is little opportunity for training and career advancement; and (8) poor planning and under-enrollment have caused fiscal problems which threaten the program's existence. Includes 53 references. (JW)