This interim report of the "National Assessment of Chapter 1 Independent Review Panel" presents preliminary findings from studies completed as part of a national assessment of the Chapter 1 program. The first of the report's seven sections discusses the intent of the program, while the second examines its educational and economic contexts. The remaining sections report study findings. Section 3 considers standards for identifying schools that need improvement. The uses and limitations of current practices of student assessment and alternative views on student assessment are examined in section 4. Section 5 presents data relating to schools' use of schoolwide projects, and the scope, effectiveness, and funding of such projects. Conventional and alternative practices that impact students' development of higher order thinking skills are examined in section 6. The final section discusses child poverty and methods of targeting the neediest students and schools. This section also presents data on Chapter 1 funding levels and participation rates, the racial and ethnic composition of the student population served by Chapter 1 programs, and the geographic distribution of children in poverty. A reference list of more than 90 items is provided. Appendixes include a list of studies that are part of the national assessment, a copy of the federal statute requiring a national assessment of Chapter 1, and a national assessment study plan. (BC)