Explored demographic characteristics and retention status of kindergarten children and curricular practices of kindergarten teachers. Retained children appeared to come from low-income, female-headed households; had no preschool experience; and were disproportionately from ethnic and language minorities. Teachers from high-retaining school sites…

Examines four types of kindergarten programs (developmental, multiage, full-day, and lower class size) to determine which best accommodates developmental differences while enhancing youngsters' readiness for formal schooling. Low-income, urban areas should implement full-day kindergarten programs and smaller classes in first through third grades.…

Examined the effect of child care attendance on young children's social development, in particular the real or perceived difference in behavior of young children coming from long-day care to attend sessions in kindergartens compared with children coming directly from home. Found no significant differences between the two groups. Offers…

In this article, the authors describe their efforts to improve the performance of their middle school students on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA). As middle level educators, they knew that in addition to addressing the curriculum, they also had to address the psychological needs of their students. To administer a standardized…

This paper examines how various elements of five early- childhood-to-elementary school transition programs are being developed and carried out. Five transition programs were identified and investigated in regard to shared leadership and decisionmaking among stakeholders, comprehensive and integrated services, family involvement and empowerment,…

The Regents' Center for Early Developmental Education (University of Northern Iowa) focuses efforts on improving early childhood education (birth through 8 years) in Iowa by supporting educational efforts that emphasize children's interests, experimentation, and cooperation. In recent years, educational reform initiatives have targeted programs…

Those involved in early childhood development must recognize that many of their most cherished beliefs about what is best for children are cultural constructions. This book focuses on quality in large-scale programs for disadvantaged young children in a variety of cultural settings. Chapter 1, "Changing Childhoods," discusses issues…

The five-year Georgia Head Start Quality Initiative was founded in 1994 to provide training and technical assistance (consisting of monthly group training sessions and individual on-site consultation) for Georgia Head Start administrators as they pursue National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation. This document…

Many young adolescents, possibly as many as half, feel boxed in and bored in their middle schools. Research suggests that schools, parents, and the rest of the community must do more to make middle schools places where young adolescents thrive. In spite of the emergence of the junior high school and later the middle school in the 20th century,…

This study evaluated a project for integrating preschool- and school-age children in a joint educational program. The integration project (SKOBO) has been implemented in all education units in the investigated municipality. Each school has, however, had a considerable degree of freedom in carrying out the program with the potential to find its…

This report identifies changes that schools must make in their kindergarten and primary programs if they are to contribute to rather than hinder progress toward the achievement of school readiness for all children, as expressed in goal one of the America 2000 initiative. Schools need to: (1) implement developmentally appropriate curriculum,…

This paper reports on the findings of an evaluation of Project Giant Step, a program funded by New York City to provide comprehensive services to all 4-year-olds in the city, beginning with low-income children who are unserved by existing programs. Both the costs and effects of Project Giant Step are examined. Effects of the program on children…

This document responds to issues raised in a Schools Council discussion paper analyzing the first years of schooling in Australia. The document is divided into nine chapters covering the following topics: (1) the national and historical context in which early childhood programs currently operate; (2) conditions that foster teachers' ability to…

Noting that Head Start has become the largest community-based preschool program providing services to children with disabilities, this guide is intended to build the skills of Head Start staff in effectively using the Individualized Education Program (IEP) to accommodate children with disabilities. Following an introductory section, the guide…

This study examined the decision-making processes of preschool teachers in creating developmentally appropriate practices. Five teachers of 4-year-old children in 3 private schools participated; these teachers' classrooms scored high on both the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale and the Classroom Practices Inventory. A model of preschool…