Understand the elements of quality in preschool programs and learn about the relationship of preschool quality to short- and long-term child outcomes. Find out more about the costs of quality and explore preschool curriculum options and impacts.
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.
2009 State Preschool Yearbook Webinar
State prekindergarten programs in the U.S. were featured in a June 29, 2010 webinar presented by NIEER Director Steve Barnett and the National Title I Association. Highlights from the presentation included trends in access, spending and quality standards as well as information on curriculum, English language learners, assessments, monitoring and family engagement.
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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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Beyond Calendars and Today's Weather: Improving Instructional Quality and Learning Outcomes for Pre-K Mathematics and Science
Presentation by NIEER Co-Director Ellen Frede and Research Professor Kimberly Brenneman at the annual meeting of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, November 2009.
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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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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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The Changing Landscape of Pre-K: Examining the changes and impacts of quality standards in prekindergarten at the national, state, district and program levels.
Presentation on policies, implementation strategies and monitoring of quality standards in prekindergarten at the national, state, district and program levels.
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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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Policy Brief: Providing Preschool Education for All 4-Year-Olds: Lessons from Six State Journeys
At the request of President-elect Obama’s transition team, this NIEER policy brief provides guidance on federal investments in preschool and child care for the sake of America’s children.
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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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Policy Brief - Federal Early Childhood Policy Guide For The First 100 Days
At the request of President-elect Obama’s transition team, this NIEER policy brief provides guidance on federal investments in preschool and child care for the sake of America’s children.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Top 10 Pre-K Questions: What Parents Need to Know About High Quality Preschool
The importance of young children entering kindergarten prepared to learn is not lost on most parents, and armed with that knowledge, more and more parents diligently search for high-quality preschool education programs for their children. NIEER offers questions parents can ask to help them find a high-quality prekindergarten program.
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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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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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New State Research on Highly Effective Pre-K
NIEER Director Steve Barnett's power point presentation on state preschool research at the Congressional briefing June 18, 2007.
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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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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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Hot Topic: Tough Choices or Tough Times
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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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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The Economic Promise of Investing in High-Quality Preschool
This report concludes that implementing preschool programs for all can be expected to generate $2 to $4 for every dollar invested and provide a boost to long-term economic growth.
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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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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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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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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 - 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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Policy Brief - Better Teachers, Better Preschools: Student Achievement Linked to Teacher Qualifications
High-quality preschool education depends on effective, high-quality teachers. This brief presents educational requirements for preschool teachers, reviews evidence on the importance of teacher qualifications, and offers policy recommendations.
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Policy Brief - Class Size: What's the Best Fit?
Is there a link between class size and the quality of preschool? This policy brief examines how class size and staff-child ratios affect quality, educational effectiveness, and cost of preschool programs.
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What Can Be Learned From State-Funded Prekindergarten Initiatives?
A book chapter that examines data on state-funded preschool programs to discuss the possible outcomes of shifting control of Head Start from the federal to the state level.
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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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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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The State with Two Prekindergarten Programs: A Look at Prekindergarten Education in New York State (1928-2003)
New York is unique among the many states with state-funded preschool: it has two contrasting, yet successful programs.
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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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Creating a Qualified Preschool Teaching Workforce Part I
This report documents the findings of a study of New Jersey’s efforts to develop qualified preschool teachers in newly created Preschool-Grade 3 (P-3) teacher preparation programs and offers policy recommendations for the state as it works to ensure that every child in an Abbott classroom is taught by a qualified teacher.
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Quality Early Childhood Education: It Costs, It Pays, It Counts
Steve Barnett on financing quality early childhood education - part of the Mid-Atlantic Early Childhood Education Network Forum.
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Supporting Learning and Behavior of At-Risk Young Children: Computers in Urban Education
This article reports on an exploratory study that examines the potential of interactive computer technology (ICT) to contribute to the learning and behavior of at-risk young children.
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Policy Brief - Low Wages = Low Quality
Evidence points to the low wages and benefits offered to preschool teachers as the single most important factor in hiring and keeping good teachers. This brief looks at salaries for preschool teachers and child care workers and provides evidence of the effects of poor pay and employee benefits on teacher morale, turnover rates, and ultimately on educational quality.
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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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Hot Topic: Preschool: The Most Important Grade
Research confirms long-term benefits of high-quality early education.
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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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A Benefit-Cost Analysis of the Abecedarian Early Childhood Intervention
For every dollar spent on high-quality early education programs, taxpayers can expect four dollars in benefits. These programs not only lead to greater academic success, they boost lifetime earnings for participants and their mothers.
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Hot Topic: A Benefit-Cost Analysis of the Abecedarian Early Childhood Intervention
NIEER conducted a benefit-cost analysis of one of the nation's most respected early education programs, the Abecedarian Early Childhood Intervention project in North Carolina. The research found that taxpayers received a four-to-one return on their investment, in addition to significant social dividends and including better school success.
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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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Child Care: States Have Undertaken a Variety of Quality Improvement Initiatives, but More Evaluations of Effectiveness are Needed
States report a variety of initiatives to improve the quality of child care, such as training caregivers, raising compensation, and increasing safety. However, few states have studied the effect of their initiatives on children.
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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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A Stark Plateau—California Families See Little Growth in Child Care Centers
Study by a university-based independent research center shows California preschools and child care centers only have room for one in every seven children age 0-5, even though state spending for child care has nearly quadrupled since 1996.
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Hot Topic: The Promise of Preschool
In the documentary, The Promise of Preschool, journalist John Merrow travels in the U.S. and abroad to see where preschools are working or not working — and why. His report, which airs on public television this fall, raises critical issues about the future of America's preschools.
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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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Preschool for All: Investing in a Productive and Just Society
A report from a nonpartisan group of business and education leaders calling for free, high quality preschool education for all children age 3 and over.
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America's Child Care Problem: The Way Out
Identifies crucial problems facing child care and suggests sources for change, including stronger regulatory procedures and government subsidies; offers practical tips for parents seeking quality care.
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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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The School Readiness Initiative in South Central Connecticut: Classroom Quality, Teacher Training, and Service Provision
These two reports document the degree to which the Connecticut School Readiness Initiative (CSRI) classrooms operating in south-central Connecticut during FY 1999 and FY 2000 have achieved high quality. While most classrooms provided high quality education and care for preschoolers, quality varied greatly, and many classrooms needed improvement in at least one area. Recommendations include improving quality through NAEYC accreditation.
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The Child Care Problem: An Economic Analysis
Looks at child care from an economic perspective, suggests child care quality is poor because parents don't understand its real value or demand it, and proposes a new policy providing child care vouchers.
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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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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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