PUB DATE 2000-12-00

Noting that many communities in the United States have set the ambitious goal of enhancing school readiness, this report is intended to help communities invest wisely in school readiness initiatives. Part 1 of the report summarizes recommendations from the National Education Goals Panel (NEGP) for defining and assessing school readiness. The core conclusions are that: (1) school readiness is multifaceted; (2) family and community supports for readiness are essential to address in an assessment of readiness; and (3) school readiness is a reciprocal phenomenon. Key principles for appropriate assessment of young children are also summarized. Part 2 presents a framework for community investments based on an ecological view of child development. This framework is broader than that of the NEGP and considers factors related to the child's physical and mental health, the family context, children's experience of early childhood care and education settings, and the neighborhood context. A selective review of research is presented