The pandemic caused unprecedented disruption in America’s early childhood education sector. But can it serve as a learning opportunity?
Preschool Student Experiences in the Wake of COVID-19
New research examines the supports that preschool students received – or in many instances didn’t receive – when classrooms closed their doors this spring. NIEER Senior Co-Director W. Steven Barnett discusses his team’s findings, their potential impacts on students, and some important implications for policymakers, practitioners, school leaders and families.
Study: Disadvantaged Families Less Likely to Apply for Universal Pre-K
Universal pre-k has been expanding in recent years, yet few studies have examined which families do – and which families don’t – apply.
Science, Engineering and ‘The Cat in the Hat’: Can Videos and Games Improve Early Learning?
In a new study, researchers found that a suite of digital games and videos centered on “The Cat in the Hat” had meaningful impacts on young children’s knowledge of – and engagement with – science and engineering concepts.
Can Same-Race Teachers Boost Parental Engagement in Head Start?
A new study of thousands of American families examined the relationship between teacher race, ethnicity and parental engagement in Head Start early childhood programs.
Can Childcare Subsidies Influence Future Academic Performance?
Nearly 800,000 low-income families receive childcare subsidies through the federal Child Care Development Fund each month. A new study finds that those subsidies can play a role in a student’s academic performance throughout elementary school.
James Heckman: A Quality Pre-K Experience Can Impact Generations
Nobel Prize-winning economist James Heckman joins CPRE Director Jonathan Supovitz to discuss the latest research into the Perry Preschool Project, a landmark 1960’s study that examined the impacts of high quality preschool on at-risk children.
Can Full-Day Pre-K Improve Kindergarten Readiness?
A new study provides the first rigorous evidence of the impact of full-day preschool on children’s school readiness skills.
Study: Quality of Head Start Centers Can Vary By Classroom
Head Start, the nation’s largest publicly funded preschool program, holds licensed centers and agencies accountable through a set of defined quality standards. A new study, however, finds that the overall quality rating of a center can vary substantially, depending on which classrooms are evaluated.
Free Pre-K: How Cities are Growing and Funding High Quality Programs
From new property taxes to a so-called “soda tax,” U.S. cities have found creative ways to fund and grow free, high quality preschool programs. Now families – and researchers – are reporting on the personal and academic benefits of those programs for local children.