The purpose behind this publication was to determine §if significant differences existed in school §readiness for kindergarten and growth in school §readiness at the end of kindergarten between 266 §kindergarten students, in an urban school district §in southeastern Pennsylvania, by the type of pre-§kindergarten experience. Additional variables §examined demographics, discipline referrals, §absences, days tardy to kindergarten, and §kindergarten teacher perceptions of student §readiness for kindergarten. §This book provides strong evidence that the §type of pre-kindergarten experience influences §students readiness for kindergarten. Analysis §suggested significant differences among public §school pre-kindergarten students and other groups §in: readiness for kindergarten; across ethnic §groups; by mother s educational level; by discipline §referrals in kindergarten; absences in kindergarten; §teacher perceptions of students readiness for §kindergarten. § This research has significant implications §for public policy and funding of education, school §district practice and program development, and §research on public school pre-kindergarten §programs. The purpose behind this publication was to determine §if significant differences existed in school §readiness for kindergarten and growth in school §readiness at the end of kindergarten between 266 §kindergarten students, in an urban school district §in southeastern Pennsylvania, by the type of pre-§kindergarten experience. Additional variables §examined demographics, discipline referrals, §absences, days tardy to kindergarten, and §kindergarten teacher perceptions of student §readiness for kindergarten. §This book provides strong evidence that the §type of pre-kindergarten experience influences §students readiness for kindergarten. Analysis §suggested significant differences among public §school pre-kindergarten students and other groups §in: readiness for kindergarten; across ethnic §groups; by mother s educational level; by discipline §referrals in kindergarten; absences in kindergarten; §teacher perceptions of students readiness for §kindergarten. §This research has significant implications §for public policy and funding of education, school §district practice and program development, and §research on public school pre-kindergarten §programs.