Administration Launches Effort To Boost Early-Childhood Skills

By Linda Jacobson

Washington

The Bush administration is launching a five-year, $50 million study to uncover the best ways to enhance all areas of children's development and readiness for school success.

Officials from the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services will lead the initiative, which ultimately aims to give teachers research-based information for strengthening the cognitive, emotional, social, and physical growth of children—especially those with potential learning difficulties and those who come from disadvantaged families.

The project was discussed at the recent White House Summit on Early Childhood Cognitive Development, which was convened by...