2-041 - Coming of age: Recent progress and future opportunities for early care and education

Session Type: Conversation Roundtable

Integrative Statement

Over the last decade, the importance of early care and education (ECE) has expanded in public and political consciousness nationwide. Evidence from multiple disciplines including developmental psychology, neuroscience, and economics suggest that attending high quality ECE helps children gain the cognitive, behavioral, and social-emotional skills needed to be successful in school (Yoshikawa et al., 2013). From the expansion of pre-k in both Republican and Democratic leaning states over the last decade to then-Senator Obama’s description of ECE as one of his highest priorities in the 2008 presidential debates, ECE is an idea that has come of age. However, progress in public support has not been matched by progress in funding, leading to variable quality ECE and unequal access (Guernsey, Bornfreund, McCann & Williams, 2014). In this roundtable three ECE experts will discuss recent progress in providing high quality ECE for children in the U.S., as well as the challenges that lie ahead. Specifically, panelists Joan Lombardi, Lea Austin, and Kelly Maxwell will discuss the importance of coordinating services for young children, workforce development, and measuring program quality for the success of large-scale ECE programs. Jessica Harding from New York University will moderate the panel. Overall, this panel will provide researchers with up to date information about the state of ECE research and policy in the U.S. and a perspective on future policy directions. Discussion among panel members and with the audience will illuminate areas for future research to improve ECE policy to support children’s development.

Sub Unit

• School Readiness/Childcare

Moderator

• Jessica Harding, New York University

Panelists

• Joan Lombardi, Early Opportunities LLC

• Lea Austin, UC-Berkeley

• Kelly Maxwell, Child Trends