| Title: |
Why Are Preschool Programs Becoming Less Effective? EdWorkingPaper No. 23-885 |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Anamarie A. Whitaker (ORCID 0000-0002-6865-5850); Margaret Burchinal (ORCID 0000-0002-3606-7843); Jade M. Jenkins (ORCID 0000-0002-2000-3087); Tyler W. Watts (ORCID 0000-0002-2741-0873); Greg J. Duncan (ORCID 0000-0002-9869-6311); Emma R. Hart (ORCID 0000-0003-3808-0838); Ellen Peisner-Feinberg (ORCID 0000-0001-9716-9977) |
| Source: |
Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. 2023. |
| Availability: |
Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. Brown University Box 1985, Providence, RI 02912. Tel: 401-863-7990; Fax: 401-863-1290; e-mail: AISR_Info@brown.edu; Web site: http://www.annenberginstitute.org |
| Peer Reviewed: |
N |
| Page Count: |
26 |
| Publication Date: |
2023 |
| Document Type: |
Reports - Evaluative |
| Education Level: |
Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education |
| Descriptors: |
Preschool Education; Preschools; Program Evaluation; Educational Quality; Educational Change; Educational Practices; Educational Theories; Research Needs; Program Effectiveness |
| Abstract: |
High-quality preschool programs are heralded as effective policy solutions to promote low-income children's development and life-long wellbeing. Yet evaluations of recent preschool programs produce puzzling findings, including negative impacts, and divergent, weaker results than demonstration programs implemented in the 1960s and 70s. We provide potential explanations for why modern preschool programs have become less effective, focusing on changes in instructional practices and counterfactual conditions. We also address popular theories that likely do not explain weakening program effectiveness, such as lower preschool quality and low-quality subsequent environments. The field must take seriously the smaller positive, null, and negative impacts from modern programs and strive to understand why effects differ and how to improve program effectiveness through rigorous, longitudinal research. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2024 |
| Accession Number: |
ED638948 |
| Database: |
ERIC |