Research Connections’ librarians have curated this page to include publications that may be of particular interest to child care and early education policymakers, professionals supporting the workforce, and researchers. The publications were selected because they align with federal priorities, seasonal priorities, current events, or national interest. Many of the highlighted publications have been featured in Research Connections newsletters.
How much does a teacher’s education matter? This study looks at the education levels of assistant teachers in prekindergarten classes to determine whether education levels play a role in the assessment scores of at-risk children. The findings indicate that, although the education levels of lead…
The COVID-19 pandemic affected the ability to directly assess children. Using data from Head Start, this report examines whether an alternate measure—teacher reports—can be used reliably when direct assessments are unavailable. The findings indicate that teacher reports have strong associations…
The COVID-19 pandemic affected the ability to directly assess children. Using data from Head Start, this report examines whether an alternate measure—teacher reports—can be used reliably when direct assessments are unavailable. The findings indicate that teacher reports have strong associations…
Four interested groups came together to successfully prepare the first national study of children served by Region XI Head Start programs. Region XI Head Start directors, researchers affiliated with the Tribal Early Childhood Research Center (TRC), researchers from Mathematica, and federal staff…
This bibliography presents resources from the Research Connections library related to the NSECE. It can be a useful reference tool for researchers and policymakers and provide quick access to NSECE data sets, user guides, official research findings, and more.
Identifying and engaging with dual-language learners (DLLs) and their families during early childhood years can significantly affect their ECE experience. This report discusses policies at the federal, state, and local levels regarding the identification of DLLs in early care and education…
Home-based child care (HBCC) is “the most common form of nonparental child care for infants and toddlers and for children living in poverty” (p. vii). The selected literature reviewed in this synthesis looks at the features of quality in HBCC settings, as well as how neighborhood and provider…
This study used a randomized controlled trial method to look at the effects of Ohio’s early childhood mental health consultation (ECMHC) system. The study found significant impacts on the social and emotional skills of children who received consultation, as well as their surrounding peers,…
Do high-quality early care and education (ECE) programs help low-income children overcome the disadvantages of childhood poverty in the long term? This study uses data from the National Institute for Child Health and Development’s 1991 Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development to show that…
This paper looks at the intergenerational effects of the Perry Preschool Project (PPP) using newly collected data on the original participants of the PPP. It analyzes longer-term effects, including on children of the original participants. The results show the program had significant, positive…
The Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) is used by many programs to inform important decisions. This study looks at whether, and to what extent, the scores vary within a single-day observation period. While the authors find some variability in CLASS scores (typically declining over the…
This paper from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City notes that in the United States, many women are out of the labor force because they are primarily responsible for their children’s care. The study examines whether maternal labor force participation increases when free pre-kindergarten…
How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect child care assistance policies in the United States? New funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, and the American Rescue Plan Act allowed states to make policy…