This paper reports analysis of 2006-2007 on-entry assessment data from the Performance Indicators in Primary Schools Baseline Assessment (PIPS-BLA) of random samples of students in England, Scotland, New Zealand and Australia. The analysis aimed, first, to investigate the validity and reliability of that instrument across countries and sexes, and,…

Forty-four Head Start classrooms were randomly assigned to enriched intervention (Head Start REDI--Research-based, Developmentally Informed) or "usual practice" conditions. The intervention involved brief lessons, "hands-on" extension activities, and specific teaching strategies linked empirically with the promotion of: (a)…

This parent guide provides an overview of the Gesell Developmental Program (pre-first grade) in the Eastern Lancaster County School District (Pennsylvania). The following topics are covered: (1) a history of the program; (2) a brief description of the Gesell preschool tests; (3) answers to questions parents are likely to ask about the program; (4)…

First in a series of publications prepared by the Washington Elementary District No. 6, Arizona, this early childhood bulletin was designed to familiarize parents (with children about to enter kindergarten) with program requirements, activities, and curriculum. Brief information is included on how parents can prepare their children physically and…

Any given child should attend school full time when three parties agree that the time is right: the child, his or her parents, and the school officials. Arbitrary starting dates based on calendar age are outmoded and educationally unsound. (PGD)

This document consists of the two 2003 issues of the newsletter of the ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education (ERIC/EECE). Each issue contains a feature article and one or more short articles on topics related to early childhood education, calls for papers, announcements about Internet resources, news items about and list…

G. Gredler defends his use of the cumulative retention rate to address the question of school readiness. (CL)

Examined school readiness outcomes among children and parents in Head Start and a wait list comparison group. Results indicated that the initial status was equivalent. Growth rates were significantly faster for Head Start children than comparison children on receptive vocabulary and phonemic awareness. Treatment group parents reported more healthy…

Recent research provides evidence of the strong connections between quality of play in preschool years and children's readiness for school instruction. Mature play, characterized by imaginary situations, multiple roles, clearly defined rules, flexible themes, language development, length of play, helps students' cognitive development. (Contains 12…

Kindergarten has become a skill-based, academically oriented program. Readiness test scores are often used to determine which children need extra time or special programs, although this practice can be challenged on legal and ethical grounds. Many experts agree that kindergarten experience should be intellectually stimulating rather than…

Describes and evaluates the Boehm Test of Basic Concepts--Preschool Version, a screening test which indicates school readiness and guides planning for language instruction. Concludes that the test can be useful in identifying children whose development of relational concepts may place them at risk for understanding teacher directions. (MM)

Discusses why transition to school has recently been singled out as a significant and "hot" topic: (1) dramatic demographic changes within society and local communities; (2) provision of education to all children, regardless of presence of major disabilities or serious health concerns; (3) the crisis and uncertainty of funding for many public…

Reviews major federally initiated transition demonstration efforts of past three decades: Follow Through and Head Start Planned Variation; Project Developmental Continuity; Head Start Transition Project, National Transition Study; and National Head Start/Public School Early Childhood Transition Demonstration Project. Asserts that findings are far…

The results of the research, conducted on Oklahoma's universal Pre-kindergarten (Pre-k) program, on children of Tulsa Public Schools (TPS), the largest school district in the state to increase the school readiness are presented.

The persistent achievement gaps among children of different race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status in the United States represent an issue that has commanded public, policy, and research attention on and off for about 100 years now, and it is once again in the forefront of policy-making agendas. Debates nevertheless abound on the most promising…