This study examined the benefits of Head Start to children entering elementary school, assessed Head Start benefits to their parents, and described the characteristics and services of the Head Start program. Data were collected from a sample of Head Start graduates located in 32 sites selected to represent Head Start programs throughout the country. A comparison group of children enrolled in the same public school classrooms as the Head Start group was also selected in order to compare the status of Head Start graduates with their classmates. Data were collected from the parents in both groups, from the elementary school teachers, and from the Head Start Centers that the graduates attended. This report is organized in four sections: (1) background and procedures of the study, (2) data from delegate agencies and their Head Start Centers and results of the survey of the Head Start Centers which the sampled Head Start graduates attended, (3) parents' perceptions of Head Start, and (4) analyses of Head Start benefits to children. Approximately 50 pages of appendices are included. (Author/JMB)