ABSTRACTStudents who failed the Cognitive Skills Assessment Battery (CSAB) at the beginning of first grade were compared to those who passed on health factors, health history, family characteristics, socioeconomic factors, health ratings by the classroom teacher and the school nurse, and achievement on the Basic Skills Assessment Program (BSAP) at the end of first grade. Significant differences were found on family characteristics, birth history, and health ratings. Only ear problems were significantly related to the academic variables. Health problems were found to be moderately related to academic variables. This relationship is influenced by family socioeconomic variables.