Sustaining Early Childhood Learning Gains: Program, School, and Family Influences

Description

How gains from early childhood experiences are initiated, increased, sustained, and affect life-course development are fundamental to science and society. They also have increasing policy relevance, given public investments in early learning programs and the need to measure their effectiveness in promoting well-being. With contributions from leading researchers across many disciplines, this book emphasizes key interventions and practices over the first decade of life and the elements and strategies through which gains can be enhanced by schools, families, communities, and public institutions. Three critical themes are addressed: firstly, the importance of documenting and understanding the impact of investments in early childhood and school-age years. Secondly, increased priority on elements and principles for scaling effective programs and practices to benefit all children. Thirdly, a focus on multiple levels of strategies for sustaining gains and promoting long-term effects, ranging from early care and family engagement to school reform, state, and federal policy.

Arthur J. Reynolds is a professor in the Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota. A leading expert in the early intervention field, he directs the Chicago Longitudinal Study, one of the largest studies of the effects of early education. Judy A. Temple is a professor in the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. Her research focuses on the evaluation of long-term effects of early educational interventions and policy evaluation.

'This book has it all. The content is first rate and the authors offer a plethora of effective recommendations that will strengthen programs and practices. The authors themselves are a who's who list of scientists with vast experience in knowing what works. The book clearly shows that good early childhood policy and effective school reform go hand in hand.' Arne Duncan, Former Secretary, United States Department of Education 'This research reinforces why we're taking significant strides to expand early education, which is fundamentally about giving every child in every neighborhood their best chance to succeed. Reynolds and Temple show us that these significant investments in our children will help level the playing field, further close the achievement gap, and build stronger communities for generations to come.' Rahm Emanuel, Mayor, City of Chicago 'This volume focuses on one of the most crucial issues facing us today: how to build upon and sustain the gains from early intervention. The editors and authors are clear that we need a multi-year commitment to continuity and quality. The work presented here provides powerful justification for this comprehensive investment.' Samuel J. Meisels, Founding Executive Director, Buffett Early Childhood Institute, University of Nebraska 'The research is ripe with insights and directives gleaned from years of investments, programming, and evaluations. This is well-timed and well-aimed as public and private investments in early childhood seek to spur an increasingly greater impact. It is an invaluable volume for practitioners, policymakers, and all those who care about increasing opportunities for young children.' Rip Rapson, President and CEO, The Kresge Foundation 'Investing in children's early learning is an investment in our shared future. This book provides important research and insights into how to sustain those early gains through the K-3 years and beyond. This is a valuable resource for practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and philanthropists.' Kate Wolford, President, McKnight Foundation