Background: Public preschool can provide opportunities for earlier detection of child health problems and receipt of special needs services. This is especially important for children from low-income households who disproportionately face cost barriers to obtaining health screenings and services. Objective: This study explores the possibility that…

Chronic absenteeism is a critical national problem that puts more than 6.5 million schoolchildren at risk for falling behind academically, dropping out of school, and serious long-term health, employment, and financial consequences. There is a growing movement among schools, states, and the federal government to address the underlying causes of…

The field of early care and education has come a long way in terms of culturally sensitive and anti-bias program implementation. The author has seen some amazing classrooms where talented teachers are embracing diversity, where children are learning to appreciate their own uniqueness and that of others, and everything about the program welcomes…

Important facts about asthma and the environment include: (1) Asthma has reached epidemic proportions in the United States, affecting about 25 million people of all ages and races, including about 7 million children; (2) Nearly one in 10 school-aged children has asthma, and the percentage of children with asthma is rising more rapidly in…

This study investigates the prevalence of medication use within a Head Start population. Parent-reported data (N = 1,397) from initial enrollment information indicated 6.8% of children were taking 34 different types of medication. More than two thirds (69%) of those on medication were prescribed more than one medication, and more than one third…

The present American philosophy of education proclaims equality of opportunity for every child. This requires a study of the inherent capacities of children and the consideration of the opportunities for service in a highly complex industrialized society. The Office of Education is now engaged in studying the success of the types of curriculum and…