This paper describes an application of behavior modification techniques and new means of presenting academic materials to the 450 children in the kindergarten and first grade of a small semi-urban community. Four years of research on behaviors useful in educational diagnosis and prediction of future success revealed two tests highly related to the achievement goals of the first grade; these are knowledge of vocabular and visuoperceptual memory. Screening is the program's first phase: the second is establishment of intervention strategies with regard to children diagnosed as highly susceptible to academic failure. The lowest children were initially treated individually by paraprofessionals trained to be instructional aides. Academic materials were often presented in a gamelike format to provide continuing reinforcement of learning. Techniques with a lower cost per pupil were selected for learning enhancement at other levels. These included cassette programming, the training of individual classroom teachers in behavior modification, the modification of the curriculum format, and the active involvement of parents in their children's education. (JM)