Early-Years Column

Building on the successes of Head Start and a state preschool program, New Jersey has launched an effort to expand the reach and scope of early-education services for urban poor children and ensure that elementary schools help them to sustain their preschool gains.

Jointly administered by the state departments of education and human services, the GoodStarts program provides $7 million in state and federal aid for programs aimed at 3- and 4-year-olds that offer educational, social, health, nutritional, and child-care services and highlight parental involvement.

To ensure program continuity and expansion without relying on annual appropriations, grantees must identify a recurring funding source--such as regular state school aid or Head Start--to absorb program costs by the end of three years. The next funding cycle could then be used to launch or expand preschool...