Although the study criticized early-childhood programs, Ms. Hamburg and other analysts said some efforts were exemplary.

The money will go toward early-childhood programs, magnet schools and professional development programs, among other things.

Gov. George Pataki asserts that his budget for early-childhood programs will give local school districts more flexibility in spending.

Its early-childhood program is said to be among the best in the city.

An ambitious agreement with the Legislature, to pay for prekindergarten classes and other early-childhood programs, has stalled.

"We probably would not sacrifice one of our own religious early-childhood programs for the sake of secular programs."

It includes support that will strengthen Head Start, increase participation in school breakfast programs and promote the development of early-childhood programs.

By contrast, only 50 percent of children in poverty attend early-childhood programs like Head Start, most of which stress social development anyway, not reading.

They would benefit more through expanded public early-childhood programs like Head Start and by focusing on efforts to strengthen parental involvement, he said.

In the early-childhood program, there are, for example, a 45-minute class for handling clay and a cooking class (left).