In the 1980s, there was a notable increase in state funding of preschool programs, particularly for economically disadvantaged children. In fiscal year 1988, a total of 28 states projected program expenditures of almost 226 million dollars. The Administration for Children, Youth, and Families funded a study to explore Head Start's relationship to state-funded preschool programs across the country and the implications of the findings for Head Start planning and policy development. Major findings of the study are organized by six research questions: (1) How are states currently supporting preschool education? (2) How do state-funded preschool programs compare with Head Start? (3) How has Head Start coordinated with state-funded preschool programs? (4) What are the barriers to coordination? (5) To what extent does Head Start receive support from state-funded programs? (6) What are the conclusions and implications of the study? This executive summary provides background information and study rationale, as well as major findings related to each of the six questions. (RH)