Speakers at the Lipman Research Institute's inaugural symposium examined research and issues related to appropriate programs for 4-year-olds. David Weikart described the Perry Preschool Project, an ongoing study begun in 1962 of 123 black youths at risk of failing, and the High/Scope Preschool Curriculum Study. Jane Stallings covered short-term and long-term effects of the Direct Instruction Follow Through model. Shirley Moore's discussion covered child/caregiver attachment during the first 12 through 18 months of life, and the development of prosocial behavior and social responsibility from the period of 2 years to 7 or 8 years. Three areas in cognitive development during preschool years were described by James Johnson, who suggested implications for teaching practice and social policy. Sally Provence presented a pediatrician's view of schooling and assessment of 4-year-olds. Concerned particularly with the interests of black youth, Evelyn Moore discussed the motivation of the movement to enter 4-year-olds in public schools and called attention to unanswered questions about public school prekindergarten. Herbert Zimiles closed the symposium by reassessing the values and goals of research and describing ways to improve the effectiveness of research in early childhood education. (RH)