A paper, "Young Children Face the States: Issues and Options for Early Childhood Programs," by W. Norton Grubb, is summarized in this policy brief. A discussion of the decisions that state policy makers must make and descriptions of the historical conflicts that persist within the early childhood movement and the current national status of early childhood education policy are included. A framework for goal setting is provided. The discussion identifies populations to be served, program structure and content, levels and forms of funding, funding sources and mechanisms, and ways to ensure program quality. Two tables list initiatives in seven states and the cost per child in relation to teacher/pupil ratios and teacher salaries. (LMI)