Policies such as raising of entrance age, readiness screening, and kindergarten retention are intended to solve the problem of inappropriate academic demand by removing younger or unready children from the regular classroom. Research evidence does not support the efficacy of these policies. (RH)

Provides information to prekindergarten educators to enable them to better meet the needs of parents whose children are making a transition to kindergarten. Emphasizes the need to understand assessment and screening procedures and to share that information with parents. Suggests how caregivers can provide emotional support to parents with children…

The realities of child development defy efforts to categorize children's abilities and attainments within the conventional graded structure. Pupil readiness varies, and children progress in all subjects at different rates. The development of multiage or cross-age groupings, sometimes coordinated with youngsters in tutoring programs, has produced…

Views school readiness as an ideological issue affecting American society and dominated by middle-class white values, which results in different treatment for middle-class students and "deficient students." Advocates moving away from a two-tiered system of education and toward a more democratic form of schooling that recognizes multiple…

Examined the effect of several variables on children's academic readiness at the end of kindergarten. Results indicated that age of entry into school and number of years in preschool predicted academic readiness. Children who entered preschool by age four scored higher on readiness measures than those who entered at age five. (BC)

The Even Start project in the Poudre (Colorado) School District involves a learning center where parents receive literacy instruction and are trained to become partners in their children's education. The program features separate parent and child activities, group activities, home visits from family monitors, field trips, and support groups. (SK)

This paper addresses the transition of young children from preschool programs that provide special education services to kindergarten or alternative elementary school placements. The roles of the child, family, and service providers in transition preparation, planning, implementation, and evaluation are described. Components of successful…

Examined kindergarten children's performance on the Gesell School Readiness Test (GSRT) and their participation in two different instructional programs in relation to measures of intelligence, academic achievement, and temperament. Found significant relationships among the GSRT, IQ, and academic achievement. Temperament ratings varied according to…

Reviews five books: "Garbage Pizza, Patchwork Quilts and Math Magic" (Ohanian), about elementary math instruction; "Ready for What?" (Graue), on school readiness; "The Braid of Literature: Children's Worlds of Reading" (Wolf and Heath); "The Best Years of Their Lives" (Zvirin), a book of resources for teenagers; and "Teaching and Learning in the…

Many schools host kindergarten roundups to facilitate children's transition from home to formal education. Roundups should not assess school readiness, but could be a valuable tool to help teachers' meet students' diverse needs. Roundups should open up parent-teacher communications, check for correctable learning impairments, and share meaningful…

Describes a collaborative program undertaken by a Massachusetts district to enhance preschool students' learning readiness when entering kindergarten. The program consisted of three elements: networking local and area programs and services; improving the quality of programs and services; and increasing access to family services. (11 references)…

Used narrative inquiry techniques to analyze journal entries of four experienced preschool and primary teachers describing the process of helping special needs students make the transition to kindergarten. Found that, in contrast to "best practice" recommendations in the literature, teachers emphasized personal issues and interpersonal skills such…

Presents a reconceptualization of developmental risk factors that may be related to school readiness, as well as an overview of Educare, a model of comprehensive rural service coordination in Missouri which is based on early risk identification assessment. Educare provides universal early intervention beginning at birth, risk assessment in…

Evaluation of a Scottish national pilot "baseline assessment" of preschool and primary students included interviews and surveys of preschool and first-grade teachers and head teachers in schools participating in the pilot. Most welcomed the professional judgment approach to student evaluation but identified significant issues related to…

A recent U.S. Department of Education survey correlated sociodemographic risk factors associated with children's learning problems with accomplishments and difficulties children bring to kindergarten. Family risk factors included mother with less than a high school education, family below the poverty line, unmarried or non-English-speaking mother,…