This article discusses California's Early Assessment Program (EAP) to improve alignment between K-12 and postsecondary education. EAP provides high school students with information about their academic preparedness for college and encourages teachers to teach for college readiness. Findings show that EAP participation predicts college course placement but few students are ready for college-level work based on the exam. EAP can better serve community college campuses in placing students in developmental coursework.

The growing demand for compensatory education and for child care has generated a rash of federal legislation; many states have enacted new early childhood programs, most of them located within schooling systems, and many others are considering their options. This article examines the basic policy issues governments confront in early childhood education, including the content of programs, their financing, and the inevitable trade-off between cost and quality. The final section of the article outlines the available policy options.