Recently, policy makers have begun to insist on evidence showing whether public investment in programs for children has achieved its desired results. No longer will it be sufficient to show that programs are meeting established standards for practice or that families are satisfied with services. Data are needed to show that services are effective. While some are not happy with the increased focus on accountability, the FPG Child Development Institute is committed to conducting research to help ensure that the goal of providing acceptable and effective services to children and families becomes a reality. This issue of Early Developments describes several important studies at FPG that examine and compare practices rigorously. The topics covered are: (1) Back to School at High Speed; (2) Cool off Preschool Aggression; (3) Partners for Literacy; (4) Nuestros Ninos Early Language and Literacy Project; and (5) Collaborative Consultation as a Key to Child Care Quality. A list of new FPG products and recent FPG publications concludes this issue. [Early Developments is published three times a year by the FPG Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.]