In an effort to provide a sound basis for educational accountability for preschool programs, the Arizona Early Childhood Education (ECE) Standards were developed as a framework for literacy-based programs for 3- and 4-year-olds and to provide parents with a basic understanding of indicators of early learning. These standards, to be adopted by Arizona's Family Literacy Programs in July 2004, will be used in combination with to-be-developed standards for English Language Learners and the Parents and Children Together components of family literacy programs and a comprehensive professional development program. This guide details the standards, including their development. The standards are organized within six broad domains: (1) language and literacy; (2) mathematics; (3) science; (4) physical development; (5) health and safety; (6) social and emotional development; and (7) the arts. Within each domain are several components: a rationale statement, a context statement for each standard within each domain, a standard statement, benchmark statements, and corresponding indicators and sub-indicators. Each standard progresses from broad, general statements to specific, measurable delineations of skills and concepts. Standards, related benchmarks, indicators, and sub-indicators are listed in a loose developmental progression from Phase 1 to Phase 3, with Phase 3 describing the ideal experiences and knowledge of entering kindergartners. Included with each indicator or sub-indicator are examples to make the standards more accessible to teachers and parents and an indication of the correlating K-12 standards. The guide concludes with a glossary of relevant terms and concepts. (KB)