Providing a comprehensive overview, this guide to kindergarten screening was produced to aid Maine's school districts as they work to increase the effectiveness of their screening programs. Part 1, providing materials related to meeting the requirements of Maine's Education Reform Act of 1984, includes regulations pertaining to screening, a statement of philosophy and purposes of screening, a description of the screening process, discussion of reporting to parents, a flow chart of the sequence of screening activities, a guide to choosing screening instruments, information on purchasing instruments, and a list of references. Focusing on developmentally appropriate practices, Part 2 offers discussions of readiness, descriptions of placement models, and position papers discussing curriculum planning for the primary grades. Also included in the second part are the National Association for the Education of Young Children's position statement on developmentally appropriate practice in programs for 4- and 5-year-olds, and in the primary grades serving 5- through 8-year-olds. Appended materials concern the significance of reporting to parents, informational letters regarding laws and rules pertaining to kindergarten attendance in Maine, information on preschool developmental services coordination sites, developmental history forms, screening reporting forms, and a publicity sample. Numerous references are cited on aspects of individual development, curriculum, and learning. (RH)