The early elementary teacher must find a reasonable solution to the question of how to best meet the needs of incoming 5-year-olds. This study reviews recent research on the academic and emotional needs of young students and on existing programs dealing with school readiness. Brief annotations are presented for 54 research articles. These articles deal with environmental and educational factors contributing to school readiness, school readiness screening instruments, and existing programs that offer alternatives to entry according to chronological age. A five-page summary discusses the findings of these studies. On the basis of the review, it is recommended that (1) children enter school at the traditional starting age requirement; (2) after the initial kindergarten experience, each child undergo screening to indicate readiness for first grade; and (3) a transitional program be offered for children needing a year to grow and mature before entering first grade. (CB)