This report of a hearing presents testimony on H.R. 2535, the School Excellence and Reform Act, also cited as the "Even Start Act," a bill aiming to combine into a single educational program adult basic education for parents and school readiness training for children at risk. The specific intent of the legislation was to establish a pilot program to develop methods enabling adult participants in literacy programs to acquire the skills to facilitate reading readiness among their Chapter 1 eligible preschool children. This report provides the text of the Act, a statement by Senator John H. Chafee of Rhode Island, statements of four witnesses, and the prepared statements of the National Education Association and of two of the witnesses. Testimony describes the Senate version of the bill, addresses professional issues outlined in the bill, criticizes funding provisions of the Act, describes experiences of a Pennsylvania program similar to that envisioned by the Act, and provides a professional educator's assessment of the value of the proposed legislation. (RH)