This document presents congressional testimony regarding effective early childhood education. Opening statements presented by Representatives Michael Castle and Dale Kildee focused on the need to examine the effectiveness of early childhood programs and address the "pre-achievement gap" between disadvantaged and advantaged preschoolers.…

The National Household Education Survey (NHES) is an ongoing project of the National Center for Education Statistics. The NHES used random digit dial sampling and computer-assisted telephone interviewing to conduct studies on important education issues. There are 13 NHES data sets, covering 6 broad educational topics. The six NHES components on…

In the aftermath of SP-1 and Proposition 209, the University of California has adopted several strategies in order to maintain access. In the long term, the university seeks to work with individual students to improve their academic preparation and to expand partnerships with the K-12 public sector. The state's need to educate more of its minority…

Noting that kindergarten entry is a major milestone for all young children and their families and that this transition to school can set the tone for the child's future school experiences, this booklet was developed to promote communication and understanding among Vermont parents, caregivers, and schools to ensure that all children experience a…

The Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey (FACES), launched in Spring 1997, is an integral part of Head Start's system of Program Performance Measures, an outcome-oriented accountability system examining the quality and effects of Head Start, by annually collecting data on a nationally representative sample of programs, classrooms,…

Noting that many young children are excluded from child care settings because of their behavior and that early emotional and behavioral problems are often ignored or misidentified, this issue brief highlights emerging strategies to promote the emotional wellness of young children and their families, including those most at risk. The brief further…

Noting that the persistence of unacceptable trends in kindergarten entry and placement practices narrows the curriculum in kindergarten and primary education, constricts equal educational opportunity, and curtails the exercise of professional responsibilities of early childhood educators, this position statement of the National Association of…

Early Childhood Research & Practice (ECRP), a peer-reviewed, Internet-only journal sponsored by the ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education (ERIC/EECE), covers topics related to the development, care, and education of children from birth to approximately age 8. ECRP emphasizes articles reporting on practice-related…

Noting that school readiness--the preparedness of children to learn what is taught in schools--is the cornerstone of today's education reform movement, this article presents a brief overview of the key public factors that contribute to school readiness. These factors include both historical and contemporary American views of early learning as…

The academic and emotional needs of students who enter college early are discussed, based on studies done of students at Simon's Rock College. The concept of early college admission is defended on the grounds that some students are emotionally and academically ready for college after only two years of high school. (JSR)

The participant evaluation of an intensive, research-based institute about emergent literacy and public library service for young children demonstrates current "best practice" strengths and weaknesses. Children's librarians indicate which services, attitudes and skills, organizational structures, and resources are being implemented in…

Examined 14 low-income mothers' socialization goals for their preschool children and the role of child-care providers in achieving those goals. Subjects' views of preschool learning were not entirely congruent with a constructivist approach to learning, and were linked to other cultural models of childrearing, including respecting authority,…

Examined the effects of parent involvement on child adaptation and growth of autonomy during a home-school transitional year. Found that parent involvement had significant potential for change in children who struggled with problems of attachment and other issues of adaptation, and enhanced the quality of the nursery school experience for the…

Compares the performance of similar preschool students on Spanish and English versions of the Lollipop Test: A Diagnostic Screening Test of School Readiness--Revised. Results with samples of 129 rural, 788 disadvantaged, and 148 bilingual children support the construct validity of the instrument and its Spanish form. (SLD)

Discusses what schools, caregivers/teachers, parents, and communities can do to ensure/enhance children's learning and school readiness in accordance with the theoretical framework and eventual implementation of the 1990 National Education Goal 1. (BB)