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- Illinois Early Learning (IEL): source of evidence-based, reliable information on early care and education for parents, caregivers, and teachers of young children in Illinois.
- Early Childhood Research & Practice (ECRP): was the first scholarly, peer-reviewed, bilingual (English-Spanish) online journal in the field of early childhood education.
- Illinois Early Childhood Asset Map (IECAM): a source for data on early care and education services and demographics in the state of Illinois. Data are available by state, county, township, legislative district, and several agency regions.
- Illinois Parents: operated with the Academic Development Institute in Lincoln, Illinois, provides resources and information for parents in the state of Illinois.
ED430704 PS027653
Title: North Carolina's Smart Start Initiative: 1998 Annual Evaluation Report.
Author Affiliation: North Carolina Univ., Chapel Hill. Frank Porter Graham Center.(BBB04365)
Pages: 16
Publication Date: January 1999
Notes: For 1996-97 Annual Evaluation Report, see ED 423 975.
Sponsoring Agency: North Carolina State Dept. of Human Resources, Raleigh. (BBB19601)
Available from: EDRS Price MF01/PC01 Plus Postage.
Availability: Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center, Campus Box 8180, UNC-CH, 105 Smith Level Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8180; Tel: 919-966-4295; e-mail: butts@unc.edu
Language: English
Document Type: Reports--Evaluative (142)
Geographic Source: U.S.; North Carolina
Journal Announcement: RIEOCT1999
Smart Start
is a multi-disciplinary, comprehensive, community-based initiative
to serve North Carolina children under age 6 and their families
to ensure that all children enter school healthy and prepared to
succeed. To achieve this, local county partnerships have focused
both their attention and their funds on implementing child care
programs, family programs, and health services. Evaluation strategies
included measuring changes in child care quality, family functioning,
and children's receipt of health services, and the long-term outcome
of school success. This report highlights four main program goals:
(1) children are healthy and prepared to succeed in school; (2)
families effectively fulfill their role as primary providers, nurturers,
and teachers; (3) high quality, affordable services for children
and families will be available; and (4) North Carolina counties
value children and families by providing options and resources,
and encouraging collaboration. The report presents the main data
collection strategies being used to evaluate progress for each goal,
followed by brief summaries of recent results. The most significant
findings to date are that child care quality improved as a result
of Smart Start and that children from low-income families who attended
a Smart Start-involved child care program were significantly more
prepared for school than were similar children who attended other
centers, or no centers at all. Speech problems were the most likely
developmental problem to receive preschool treatment. Playground
improvement grants did result in improved playground safety. Also
noted was increased collaboration among individuals and agencies
involved with young children and families. An appendix contains
a list of reports from the Smart Start evaluation team. (KB)
Descriptors: *At Risk Persons; Child Health; Day Care; *Early Childhood
Education; *Economically Disadvantaged; Elementary School Students;
Health Services; Partnerships in Education; Poverty Programs; Preschool
Children; Program Evaluation; *School Readiness; State Programs;
Welfare Recipients; Welfare Services
Identifiers: North Carolina; *Smart Start
