Based on input from a diverse group of local-level stakeholders and a team of experts including researchers from the University of Virginia (UVA), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and University (VT); Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU); local school division and Smart Beginnings leaders; and Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) staff, VECF piloted the implementation of Teaching Strategies GOLD,(R) a multi-dimensional, observation-based assessment of children's Kindergarten readiness and skills throughout the year. GOLD was implemented in 79 classrooms in 14 Virginia school divisions, in a pilot that was designed to ascertain the feasibility of implementing this type of assessment in Virginia's classrooms. (author abstract)