INTRODUCTION

The Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) has existed as a state-funded preschool initiative for more than 20 years. Since 1995, GSRP has been evaluated by the HighScope Educational Research Foundation. This chapter starts by describing the program and its history. It then provides an overview of GSRP child outcome findings from six studies that were reported between 1997 and 2007. This summary focuses both on short-term and longitudinal outcomes and concludes with implications for future research.

HISTORY OF THE PROGRAM

The GSRP, an initiative of the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), provides services to 4-year-olds at risk of school failure. It began as a pilot project in 1985, when 53 programs were funded with the goal of identifying effective early childhood education models that could be taken to scale across the state. During the past 23 years, GSRP has grown from serving 8,208 children in its pilot year to 23,060 children in fiscal year 2008 (FY08).

The definition of “at risk for school failure” was established early on in the implementation of GSRP. In 1988, 25 factors were identified as placing children at risk for low educational achievement. To be eligible for the program, a child must have at least two risk factors and be 4 years old by December 1 in the year he or she is enrolled. Additionally, at least half of the children in a program must be considered low income.