Does Pre-K Work? A Look at the Research

Pre-KEarly Childhood EducationResearch Methods & UseAdvocacy in the ECE Field

Feb 17

Written By Katharine Stevens

With Katharine B. Stevens

EVENT

American Enterprise Institute

February 17, 2016

Event Summary

In recent years, there has been a tremendous push for expanding pre-K programs in states across the country. As policymakers and advocates look to early childhood research findings to inform their decisions, a group of experts gathered at AEI on Wednesday to address the crucial question: Is the early childhood research base sufficient for guiding new and expanding early childhood programs?

In a packed room, Timothy Bartik, Dale C. Farran, William T. Gormley Jr., and Russ Whitehurst joined AEI’s Katharine Stevens to discuss the research base of early childhood programs, what it has offered the field, and what questions it has left unanswered. Panelists addressed the particular methods used in pre-K research, how those methods influence study findings, and what steps the field can take in the future to ensure high quality in early childhood research to help America’s most vulnerable children.

Event Description

Making good policy decisions about establishing or expanding early childhood programs requires solid evidence about those programs’ effectiveness. However, both the type and quality of the research used to assess program impact vary greatly.

While some argue that current knowledge provides adequate support for growing pre-K programs, others suggest that stronger evidence is needed. Is the current research base sufficient to guide new and expanding early childhood initiatives?

Please join AEI as four prominent scholars discuss the current state of early childhood research. They will explore its strengths and gaps, which questions have been answered and which remain, and how researchers can best advance the well-being of America’s most vulnerable children.

AGENDA

9:15 AM
Registration

9:30 AM
Opening remarks:
Katharine B. Stevens, AEI

9:35 AM
Panel discussion

Panelists:
Timothy Bartik, Upjohn Institute for Employment Research
Dale C. Farran, Vanderbilt University
William T. Gormley Jr., Georgetown University
Russ Whitehurst, Brookings Institution

Moderator:
Katharine B. Stevens, AEI

11:00 AM
Adjournment

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Does Pre-K Work? A Look at the Research

With Katharine B. Stevens

See Also

Let’s Get Inside the Black Box of Pre-K

Does Pre-K Work? The Research on Ten Early Childhood Programs—and What it Tells Us

The Narrow Focus of Pre-K Research

Does Pre-K Work? A Look at the Research

With Katharine B. Stevens

See Also

Let’s Get Inside the Black Box of Pre-K

Does Pre-K Work? The Research on Ten Early Childhood Programs—and What it Tells Us

The Narrow Focus of Pre-K Research

Let’s Get Inside the Black Box of Pre-K

There’s Nothing Magical About Pre-K