This report presents the results of a statewide study of kindergarten practices in North Carolina during 1988. The study was initiated due to concern about the developmental appropriateness of kindergartens. A total of 103 randomly selected kindergarten classrooms were observed in an effort to measure the quality of classroom practices. In addition, 218 elementary school principals and 375 kindergarten teachers were surveyed about their knowledge, attitudes, and philosophies regarding kindergarten practices. A summary of findings and recommendations is followed by a detailed description of study methods, results and discussion, and more detailed recommendations. (RH)