During the pandemic, there have been bipartisan calls for dramatically increased public funding for early education and care (EEC). As that money is being invested, more needs to be done to make it easier for families to exercise true choice--in which they have affordable, accessible, and high-quality options and the information they need to make…

This exploratory study investigated the use of concepts related to families, parents, and the home in 51 state-level early learning and development standards documents. Guidelines from six national family involvement, engagement, and school-partnership models were used to create the Family Involvement Models Analysis Chart (FIMAC), which served as…

Recent studies indicate that persistent achievement gaps among children begin as early as 18 months, years before most publicly funded prekindergarten programs offer enrollment. Early childhood development necessitates more than access to pre-K at age four. Proper brain development requires adequate nutrition, access to quality healthcare, and…

Transition practices and parental involvement in early childhood handicapped programs were studied in 74 Illinois public preschool handicapped programs. Data was collected by personal interview of teachers and parents of children enrolled in the programs. Transition practices, including mainstreaming efforts, were found to be inadequately planned…

Provides an overview and examples of efforts by the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Library Development and Services (DLDS) to increase collaborative benefits among agencies and groups targeting the youngest users. The "It's Never Too Early" public awareness campaign is designed to connect parents/caregivers of…

This guidebook is offered as a "road map" for parents who wish to be involved in shaping public policy regarding early intervention for children with disabilities, by participating in state or local Interagency Coordinating Councils (ICCs). Parents who are current or former members of state ICCs share their stories, learning, and…

The report and an accompanying executive summary of a statewide needs assessment on young handicapped children in Iowa examine services available, effectiveness of services, and needed changes. The introduction provides an overview of State Planning Grants, Iowa's history of early childhood special education, and this project's approach to…

This program advisory provides direction to school districts and providers of preschool and early primary programs in California who are implementing the recommendations of the School Readiness Task Force Report, "Here They Come: Ready or Not!" The Task Force Report addressed the issue of what kind of education would be necessary during…

The Michigan School Readiness Program (MSRP), a state-initiated and state-funded preschool program, serves more than 20,000 four-year-olds identified as being at risk for school failure each year. A longitudinal evaluation followed 2 cohorts selected from 7 sites from kindergarten through Grade 3 for Cohort 1 and through Grade 2 for Cohort 2. Each…

The basic goal of the Texas Child Migrant Programs is to implement a comprehensive and total educational program that will help develop the migrant children's highest potential and will prepare them to take their place in the mainstream of the educational program. This bulletin is published as an information source for participating school…

The State Disadvantaged Child Project provided support for students residing in the Portland Oregon core area. The focus of the project in both "sending" and "receiving" schools was achievement in basic skills. Three special programs received partial support for students largely residing within the core area. These included the…

This report describes the second year activities and progress of California's plan for Early Childhood Education (ECE), which in 1974-1975 included more than 1,300 schools and 22 percent of the state's children in kindergarten through third grade. Topics covered are (1) An overview of ECE; (2) Why ECE works, including parent participation, parent…

Since its inception in 1985, the effectiveness and quality of the Michigan School Readiness Program (MSRP), the state's early childhood education program for 4-year-olds at risk of school failure, have never been evaluated. This report details the first evaluation findings for 1995-97. The program is comprised of a child development program for…

This handbook is intended to provide Colorado educators with resources to effectively meet the needs of students with attention deficit disorder (ADD). Section 1 (chapters 1-2) presents background information about ADD. Chapter 1 answers general questions about the nature of ADD, its effect on students, and its educational implications. Chapter 2…

Smart Start is North Carolina's partnership between state government and local leaders, service providers, and families to better serve children under 6 years of age and their families. Interviews were conducted to ascertain the impressions, attitudes, and advice of 55 key participants in the 12 pioneer Smart Start counties. The interviews were…