Sandraluz Lara-Cinisomo, Anne R. Pebley, Mary E. Vaiana, Elizabeth Maggio, RAND Labor and Population
2004
This detailed study addresses the "school readiness" of children in Los Angeles County. The authors focus on basic skills and behavior problems, the most important components of school readiness. Through detailed research, the authors conclude that two factors are especially significant predictors of school readiness: the mother's level of educational attainment and the poverty level of a child's neighborhood. No surprises there. More revealing is that the authors also show that other factors, such as ethnicity and immigrant status, are not significant predictors of L.A. kids' school readiness. The authors give no novel policy advice: one recommendation is to "focus . . . resources on the children who need them most," for example. If you care to browse, though, you can do so here.