Follow-up case studies conducted at 11 sites across the country concentrated on the role of Head Start in the lives of children and their families and in the students' progress in school. Major research questions addressed were: (1) What have been the life experiences and patterns of children and families from Head Start? (2) In what ways have experiences with Head Start played a role in or made a contribution to the lives of children and families? (3) How have families perceived the effects of aspects of programs on their own families? (4) How well do Head Start graduates adjust to the transition to kindergarten and first grade? (5) As children progress beyond the early school grades, what lasting effects of Head Start can be discerned in subjects' social adjustment and academic progress? and (6) What are people's perceptions of Head Start's impact and limitations? Subjects were 132 Head Start graduates, including 44 first-graders, 44 fourth-graders, and 44 tenth-graders. There were equal numbers of male and female students. The discussion covers patterns in the case study data concerning the support and nurturance of children, readiness for school, provision of direct services to children and families, and parental involvement and empowerment. Parents' views of specific influences are presented. (RH)