Visit this page for access to resources related to cognitive, behavioral, health and social-emotional outcomes for children who attend preschool.
The State of Preschool 2009: State Preschool Yearbook
The annual survey of state-funded preschool programs shows a slow down in progress in all three key dimensions- enrollment, quality standards and resources. This is a reflection of the impact of the recession, which not only has detrimental effects on young children, but also hinders early education opportunities that may buffer these negative effects.
Planned Explorations and Spontaneous Discoveries: Supporting Scientific Inquiry in Preschool
This presentation describes the benefits of science for preschool students, acknowledges the challenges educators face, and provides practical strategies for fulfilling our responsibilities to young learners. Assistant Research Professor Kimberly Brenneman delivered this featured presentation at the DLM Summer Institute in July 2010.
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Do Effects of Early Child Care Extend to Age 15 Years? Results From the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development
The latest report from the NICHD child care study that has tracked more than 1,000 kids from birth to age 15 finds benefits of high-quality child care last into the teenage years.
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Education Reform Starts Early: Lessons from New Jersey's PreK-3rd Reform Efforts
This report describes how New Jersey became a national leader in early education with the state's reforms from preschool to third grade.
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The New Mexico PreK Evaluation: Results from the Initial Four Years of a New State Preschool Initiative
This summary report on the initial phase of NIEER?s New Mexico PreKstudy finds significantly improved language, literacy, and math for the children who attended over children who did not and an estimated rate of return is $5 for every $1 invested.
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Dorothy Strickland's Congressional Testimony on Early Literacy
Dorothy Strickland, NIEER Distinguished Research Fellow, testified before the House Education and Labor Subcommittee on early literacy learning experiences, focusing on what is known, what is needed, how to improve and what is needed from the federal government to ensure high quality literacy learning experiences for young children that research shows can help reduce grade retention, improve graduation rates and enhance productivity in adult life.
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Continued Impacts of New Mexico PreK on Children's Readiness for Kindergarten: Results from the Third Year of Implementation
NIEER's multi-year study shows that children who attended New Mexico PreK scored higher in early math, language, and literacy than children who did not attend the program.
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Benefits of Early Childhood Interventions Across the World: (Under) Investing in the Very Young
This paper reviews the international evidence on the benefits of early childhood interventions.
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Estimated State and Local Fiscal Effects of the Nurse Family Partnership Program
This recent working paper from Senior Economist Timothy J. Bartik of the Upjohn Institute focuses on the fiscal benefits of the Nurse Family Partnership program.
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How Policymakers Should Deal with the Delayed Benefits of Early Childhood Programs
Senior Economist Timothy J. Bartik examines the effects on earnings of early childhood programs in this working paper from the Upjohn Institute.
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Distributional Effects of Early Childhood Programs and Business Incentives and Their Implications for Policy
This working paper from the Upjohn Institute's Timothy J. Bartik looks at the effects of early childhood programs and business incentives on income distribution.
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The APPLES Blossom: Abbott Preschool Program Longitudinal Effects Study (APPLES), Preliminary Results through 2nd Grade
An ongoing study of New Jersey’s pre-K program finds that attending the program reduces grade retention and improves language, literacy and math skills.
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Seeing the Learning in Play: Using Performance-based Assessment to Document and Enhance Learning in Play
Presentation by NIEER Research Professor Shannon Ayers and Co-director Ellen Frede on the Early Learning Scale and the importance of learning through play.
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Policy Brief – Math and Science in Preschool: Policies and Practice
This policy brief reviews research addressing the development of mathematics and science knowledge in preschool children, identifies areas that require further study, and outlines recommendations for early education policy in these domains.
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Hot Topic: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
ELL Working Group researchers recommend opportunities for improving ELL outcomes through ARRA allocations.
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Hot Topic: Debunking Reroute the Preschool Juggernaut
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Effective Pre-School and Primary Education 3-11 Project (EPPE 3-11): Influences on Children’s Cognitive and Social Development in Year 6
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Comments on the National Early Literacy Panel Recommendations
NIEER and national early language and literacy experts comment on the recommendations generated by the literacy panel in its report, “Developing Early Literacy,” that were based on a synthesis of existing scientific research.
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Stimulus Should Leave No Preschoolers Behind
Statement of NIEER Director Steve Barnett on the economic stimulus package.
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The Serious Need for Play
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Policy Brief - Connecting Neurons, Concepts, and People: Brain Development and its Implications
This policy brief summarizes what is known about early brain development and corrects some of the common misunderstandings of the research.
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The Effects of Oklahoma’s Pre-K Program on Hispanic Children
This article presents data from William Gormley's evaluation of the Tulsa pre-K program.
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Early Learning Prevents Youth Violence
Report shows intervention at preschool age can have a greater impact on childhood aggression than interventions at later ages.
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Fact Sheet: Preschool Curriculum Decision-Making: Dimensions to Consider
This fact sheet provides a framework for evaluating the appropriateness of curricula for specific preschool education programs.
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Fact Sheet: Challenging Behaviors and the Role of Preschool Education
This fact sheet examines the role of preschool education in regard to problem behaviors in young children.
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Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Early Education Interventions on Cognitive and Social Development.
Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Early Education Interventions on Cognitive and Social Development.
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Preschool Education and Its Lasting Effects: Research and Policy Implications
Amid debate over the benefit of preschool programs, this new brief examines what researchers currently know about the potential of those programs to bring about positive change.
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What's New in Pre-K Research
NIEER Co-Director Ellen Frede's presentation on research in preschool education includes information on randomized trials, NIEER state studies, and more.
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Preschool Influences on Mathematics Achievement
Findings from this study indicate that high-quality preschool may be a factor in improving children's mathematical skills.
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Preschool Programs Can Boost School Readiness
Georgetown study finds Oklahoma's state-funded preschool for all program boosts children's skills dramatically.
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Educational Effects of the Tools of the Mind Curriculum: A Randomized Trial
The effectiveness of the Tools of the Mind curriculum in improving early education is evaluated by means of a randomized trial.
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Impacts of New Mexico PreK on Children's School Readiness at Kindergarten Entry
This is the second report from an ongoing NIEER study of New Mexico PreK.
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Longitudinal Effects of the Arkansas Better Chance Program: Findings from Kindergarten and First Grade
This study estimates the effects of state-funded pre-K in Arkansas on children's language, mathematics, and literacy skills through first grade.
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PK-3 Research and Evaluation Small Grants Program
The Foundation for Child Development (FCD) announces a grants program to be funded through its PK-3 Research and Evaluation Forum.
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Partnering for Preschool
In this study of the New Jersey Abbott preschool program, researchers identify ingredients of success others can use in developing programs with mixed delivery systems.
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Old-Fashioned Play Builds Serious Skills
NPR takes a look at how play helps children learn important self-regulation skills. Listen in as NIEER research fellows Elena Bodrova and Deborah Leong join in the discussion.
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Mathematics Education for Young Children: What It is and How to Promote It
A new policy brief offers recommendations for early childhood mathematics education (ECME).
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An Effectiveness-Based Evaluation of Five State Pre-Kindergarten Programs
This article estimates the effectiveness of a sample of state-funded preschool programs, given the growing importance of such programs on education policy.
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Policy Brief - Challenging Behaviors and the Role of Preschool Education
This policy brief from NIEER examines the role of preschool education in regard to problem behaviors in young children.
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Preschool Program Improves Cognitive Control
Findings from a study appearing in Science, the journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), show that the play-based Tools of the Mind curriculum can improve cognitive control (executive function) in preschool-age children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
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What Research Says About K-8 Science Learning and Teaching
The way we teach science fails to recognize that "Children are capable of abstract reasoning and theory building from very early ages" writes Rutgers University science education professor Richard A. Duschl in a compelling article in the November/December 2007 issue of Principal, a magazine published by the National Association of Elementary School Principals.
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Investing in Quality Pre-K
NIEER Director Steve Barnett presents the impacts of a quality early education at New Hampshire's 2007 Legislative Forum, October 11, 2007.
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Effects of Five State Prekindergarten Programs on Early Learning
Study shows gains in language and math abilities for children in a wide variety of high-quality state-funded pre-K programs.
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Two-way and Monolingual English Immersion in Preschool Education: An Experimental Comparison
NIEER presents the findings from a randomized trial of the effects of dual language or two-way immersion and monolingual English immersion preschool programs on children's learning. Programs used in the study were compared on measures of children's growth in language, emergent literacy, and mathematics.
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The Impact of Teacher Education on Outcomes in Center-Based Early Childhood Education Programs: A Meta-analysis
Does a teacher's bachelor's degree have a positive impact on early childhood education outcomes? This meta-analysis was conducted to provide a quantitative synthesis of research findings on the relationship of teacher educational attainment and measures of classroom quality and child development.
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The Effects of the New Mexico PreK Initiative on Young Children's School Readiness
New Mexico 4-year-olds who participated in the state's pre-K initiative show greater improvement in early language, literacy and math development compared to children who did not, according to a new study by NIEER.
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An Effectiveness-based Evaluation of Five State Pre-Kindergarten Programs using Regression-Discontinuity
An evaluation of the effects of prekindergarten programs in five states (Michigan, New Jersey, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and West Virginia) on children’s receptive vocabulary, math, and print awareness skills. Authors Vivian Wong, Thomas Cook, Steve Barnett, and Kwanghee Jung used a rigorous research design to estimate effects.
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The Effects of Oklahoma's Pre-Kindergarten Program on School Readiness
A power point presentation on Oklahoma's prekindergarten program by William Gormley delivered at a congressional briefing on key issues in preschool education June 18, 2007.
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The Abbott Preschool Program Longitudinal Effects Study (APPLES)
This report presents the results of a longitudinal study of New Jersey's public preschool program, which found that children attending the program improve in language, literacy and math skills through the end of their kindergarten year.
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Policy Brief - Is Public Pre-K Preparing Hispanic Children to Succeed in School?
Hispanic children who attend high-quality preschool programs have been found to benefit as much as children from other backgrounds, and sometimes more.
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Million Dollar Babies: Why Infants Can't Be Hardwired for Success
This report argues that while the first three years of life are important for the development of a child's brain, investment in preschool programs is smarter policy than putting more funding into zero-to-three programs.
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Effects of a Preschool and School-Age Intervention on Adult Health and Well Being: Evidence from the Chicago Longitudinal Study
This report chronicles the benefits of an early intervention program on the lives of children into their adult years.
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Policy Brief - Preschool Curriculum Decision-Making: Dimensions to Consider
This report provides a framework for decision-makers to use in evaluating which curriculum might be most appropriate for their specific preschool education program.
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Second-Language Acquisition and Bilingualism at an Early Age and the Impact on Early Cognitive Development
This report looks at recent research on bilingual education and studies the implications of these findings to answer important questions about bilingualism and its effects on cognitive development.
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Dual-Language Programs in U.S. Schools: An Alternative to Monocultural, Monolingual Education
This paper examines the effectiveness and significance of dual-language immersion in the U.S. public education system.
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Poverty and Early Childhood Educational Intervention
December 2006 brief from the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity Policy Brief Series.
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An Economic Analysis of Pre-K in Arkansas
This report, commissioned by Pre-K Now, shows that expanding the Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) preschool education program makes sound educational and economic sense.
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The Effects of Universal Pre-K on Cognitive Development
This report from Georgetown University discusses whether Oklahoma's universal prekindergarten program has been successful in preparing children for kindergarten and beyond.
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The Effects of the Arkansas Better Chance Program on Young Children's School Readiness
NIEER study of Arkansas' state-funded preschool education program shows significant improvement in the early language, literacy and mathematical development of 4-year-old children.
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Hot Topic: Para Nuestros Ninos: A Demographic Portrait of Young Hispanics in the United States
A report from The National Task Force on Early Childhood Education for Hispanics.
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The High/Scope Perry Preschool Program: Cost-Benefit Analysis Using Data from the Age-40 Followup
This study follows the children who participated in the High/Scope Perry preschool program, analyzing the costs and benefits of the program.
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A Review of the Reason Foundation's Report on Preschool and Kindergarten
An analysis by NIEER of the Reason Foundation's report Assessing proposals for preschool and kindergarten: Essential information for parents, taxpayers and policymaker.
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Policy Report - Early Childhood Development and Social Mobility
This policy report examines the effects of preschool education on social mobility in the United States, noting that many current programs fail to enroll even half of low-income 3- and 4-year-olds or to improve learning and development, and explaining that intensive interventions, featuring highly qualified teachers and small class sizes, such as the model Abecedarian and Perry Preschool programs, are the most effective.
The authors conclude that increased investment in preschool could raise social mobility. Increasing the educational effectiveness of early childhood programs as well as increasing participation rates would provide for greater gains in social mobility.
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Costs, Benefits, and Long-Term Effects of Early Care and Education Programs: Recommendations and Cautions for Community Developments
This paper discusses the costs and benefits related to implementing early childhood education programs, including the effects on children's learning and development.
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Is More Better? The Effects of Full-Day vs Half-Day Preschool on Early School Achievement
This NIEER working paper presents the findings of a randomized trial comparing the effects of extended-day, extended-year public preschool to half-day public preschool on children’s literacy and mathematics learning.
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Policy Brief - Early Literacy: Policy and Practice in the Preschool Years
Early literacy plays a key role in enabling the kind of early learning experiences that research shows are linked with academic achievement, reduced grade retention, higher graduation rates and enhanced productivity in adult life. This policy brief synthesizes the body of professional knowledge about early literacy and offers research-based recommendations.
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The Macroeconomics of Pre-Schooling: Simulating the Effects of Universal Early Childhood Education on the U.S. Economy
In this NIEER working paper, the authors use a general equilibrium macroeconomic model to estimate the economic consequences of a large-scale, publicly-funded preschool program.
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Estimated Impacts of Number of Years of Preschool Attendance on Vocabulary, Literacy and Math Skills at Kindergarten Entry
This study estimates the effects of attending preschool for one or two years on measures of early vocabulary development, literacy and math skills shortly after children entered kindergarten.
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What Impacts Does Preschool Education Have on Personal Responsibility and Related Social Behavior?
Several studies show that high-quality preschool education programs influence attitudes and behaviors with respect to school, family, work, and community not just during the early years of life, but into adulthood. While summarizing key discoveries regarding the benefits of preschool participation, the authors of this NIEER report recommend further research to clarify the how preschool programs can produce the greatest long-term benefits for children’s social and emotional development and life choices.
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The Effects of Investing in Early Education on Economic Growth
This paper develops a model that takes into account a wide range of assumptions for determining the long-term effects of early education on growth and the national economy.
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The Effects of the Michigan School Readiness Program on Young Children's Abilities at Kindergarten Entry
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The Effects of New Jersey's Abbott Preschool Program on Young Children's School Readiness
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The Effects of Oklahoma's Early Childhood Four-Year-Old Program on Young Children's School Readiness
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The Effects of South Carolina's Early Childhood Programs on Young Children's School Readiness
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The Effects of West Virginia's Early Education Program on Young Children's School Readiness
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Updating the economic impacts of the High/Scope Perry Preschool Program
The authors develop an updated cost-benefit ratio for the High/Scope Perry Preschool Program.
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Hot Topic: Elementary School Principals Leading the Charge on Preschool for All
Report from the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) for principals who administer pre-K and kindergarten programs.
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Effects of Preschool on Educational Achievement
Can current school reform policies like the No Child Left Behind Act close the achievement gap?
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Policy Report - Prepared for Kindergarten: What Does "Readiness" Mean?
This policy report examines key issues for public policy related to school readiness, the relationship between school readiness and other factors in young children’s lives, and challenges in readying children for kindergarten.
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Policy Report - Making the Most of Kindergarten
This policy report examines academic and social outcomes of half-day versus full-day kindergarten and trends in provision of full-day programs. Recommendations include balancing anticipated gains from expanding kindergarten schedules against cost considerations and developing classroom and teacher support strategies when moving to full-day.
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Policy Report - The Benefits of Prekindergarten for Middle Income Children
This policy report analyzes what the research says about access to and gains made in high-quality preschool programs by children from middle-income families. Recommendations include expanding publicly funded preschool programs to include middle-income children and strengthening standards for child care and early education programs.
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Policy Report - Overlooked Benefits of Prekindergarten
Studies suggest that prekindergarten can strengthen a child’s commitment and attitude toward school, enhance the parenting skills of children’s parents, and have positive impacts on family relationships. This policy report summarizes research findings about these wider benefits of early education.
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Policy Report - Promoting Children’s Social and Emotional Development Through Preschool
This policy report describes the importance of social and emotional development of children, reviews the evidence that high-quality preschool can promote social and emotional development, and describes characteristics of programs most likely to benefit children.
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Head Start's Lasting Benefits
This article provides an overview of research on the federal Head Start program and its lasting benefits.
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Video - Preschool: America's Best Investment
Can investing in high-quality early education reduce the demand for high-cost special education, social welfare and criminal justice systems? NIEER Director Steve Barnett makes this point in this video, which features children in preschool and parents who weigh in on the issue.
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Policy Brief - Preschool Assessment: A Guide to Developing a Balanced Approach
This policy brief examines assessment of learning among preschoolers and the trend toward increased standardized testing of young children. The brief offers definitions and applications of assessment concepts and policy recommendations essential to a balanced approach.
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Public Preschool in New Jersey is One Roadmap to Quality
Sparked by the New Jersey Supreme Court's landmark 1998 decision in the Abbott v. Burke court case, the state has developed a whole new system of pedagogy focused on 3- and 4-year-olds.
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State Efforts to Evaluate the Effects of Prekindergarten, 1977-2003
Programs that rely on public funds have increasingly been held accountable for demonstrating their effectiveness. This paper summarizes and analyzes the results of all reported state evaluations of state prekindergarten programs to date.
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Policy Brief - The Universal vs. Targeted Debate: Should the United States Have Preschool for All?
The debate over universal vs. targeted preschool programs is explored in this policy brief. Policy recommendations include a gradual move toward voluntary universal preschool programs with federal matching funds used to encourage states to fund high-quality preschool for all.
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Inch by Inch, Row by Row, Gonna Make This Garden Grow
The New Jersey Department of Education and researchers from throughout the state prepared this report on the quality of preschool classrooms in New Jersey’s Abbott districts and the language skills of those students upon kindergarten entry. Although the increases in program quality and children’s language skills are modest, they indicate that things are improving for our youngest and poorest children.
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Policy Brief - Child Outcome Standards in Pre-K Programs
This policy brief provides an overview of the extension of the standards movement to preschool programs. It presents the conditions and special considerations necessary for standards to have a positive impact on preschool children and strengthen accountability.
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Hot Topic: School Readiness
Experts explore school readiness issues.
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Handbook of Early Literacy Research
Brings together current knowledge and understanding of how literacy can best be developed, nurtured, and taught.
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Investing in the Child Care Industry: An Economic Development Strategy for Kansas
A report from the Mid-American Regional Council points to Kansas' need to increase its investment in child care.
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Preschool: The Most Important Grade
This article looks at research findings confirming the long-term benefits of early education.
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Prekindergarten Benchmarks for Language and Literacy: Progress Made and Challenges to be Met
This paper examines the use of benchmarks for pre-k language and literacy, provides samples of current national and state standards, and offers key points for the development of effective benchmarks.
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Policy Brief - High Quality Preschool: Why We Need It and What It Looks Like
Research has shown that 3- and 4-year-olds, especially those who are at risk for school failure, when placed in high-quality preschool programs are more successful in their future academic and social development. This policy brief calls for the improvement of early education and care in our nation by focusing on what is critical for the child, family, teacher, curriculum, and classroom.
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Set for Success: Building a Strong Foundation for School Readiness Based on the Social-Emotional Development of Young Children
Children who are not socially and emotionally prepared for entering school are at high risk for problems initially and later in school, as well as in the workplace.
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The Battle Over Head Start: What the Research Shows
Despite the successes of Head Start, questions continue to be raised about the extent to which the program produces lasting academic benefits. A careful review of the research yields a different conclusion – Head Start produces substantial long-term educational benefits.
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Making Validated Educational Models Central in Preschool Standards
This paper presents some ideas to preschool educators and policy makers about how to make validated educational models central in standards for preschool education-and-care programs that are available to all 3- and 4-year-olds.
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Video - Growing and Learning in Preschool
“Growing and Learning in Preschool” presents the essential features of a high-quality preschool program. This video shows how a preschool curriculum based on solid research builds school and life skills, why well-qualified teachers are so important, and how play is integrated into learning.
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Early Childhood Education
Chapter 1 of the book School Reform Proposals: The Research Evidence. An overview of the research showing the benefits of quality pre-kindergarten programs for disadvantaged children.
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Children and Welfare Reform: Analysis and Recommendations
An analysis of how low-income children have been faring since federal welfare reform was enacted in 1996, and recommendations on how welfare can be restructured.
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A Critical Meta-analysis of All Evaluations of State-Funded Preschool from 1977 to 1998
The study finds that preschool programs paid for by states improve children's readiness for school and lead to greater academic success. The paper provides numerous policy and evaluation recommendations for states implementing prekindergarten.
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Who Reads to Young Children? Identifying Predictors of Family Reading Activities
A telephone survey of parents and guardians of more than 7500 preschoolers found that frequency of parents' reading to children varied by ethnicity, primary language spoken in the home, age of the child, number of siblings, and mother's educational attainment, with ethnicity being the most influential single factor.
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Eager to Learn: Educating Our Preschoolers
Presents a comprehensive, coherent picture of early childhood learning, along with a clear path toward improving this important stage of life for all children.
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Readiness for School: A Survey of State Policies and Definitions
A study of states' policies on defining and assessing children's readiness for school as they enter kindergarten.
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Early Care and Education for Children in Poverty
Presents the work of scholars from a range of disciplines who have thought deeply about the problem of educating disadvantaged young children.
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Meaningful Differences in the Everyday Experience of Young American Children
Substantiates through a long-term study of 42 families the link between children's early family experience and later intellectual growth.
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Succeeding Generations: On the Effects of Investments in Children
Investigates the links between an impaired ability of many children to lead successful adult lives and factors such as fractured families, a troubled economy, rising poverty rates, and neighborhood erosion.
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As the Twig Is Bent: Lasting Effects of Preschool Programs
Sheds light on the issue of whether early education programs had measurable long-term effects on the performance of children from low-income families.
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