| Title: |
Testing a Theory of Change for Leadership in Center-Based Early Care and Education Settings. Early Childhood Research Brief. OPRE Brief #2024-346 |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Katie Gonzalez; Gretchen Kirby; Lizabeth Malone; Anne Douglass; Yange Xue; Administration for Children and Families (ACF) (DHHS), Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE); Mathematica; University of Massachusetts Boston, Institute for Early Education Leadership and Innovation |
| Source: |
Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation. 2024. |
| Availability: |
Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation. Administration for Children & Families, US Department of Health and Human Services, 330 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20201. Web site: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/opre |
| Peer Reviewed: |
N |
| Page Count: |
14 |
| Publication Date: |
2024 |
| Contract Number: |
HHSP233201500071I/75N98022F00287 |
| Document Type: |
Reports - Research |
| Education Level: |
Early Childhood Education |
| Descriptors: |
Early Childhood Education; Young Children; Leadership; Educational Change; Child Care Centers; Educational Administration; Leadership Styles; Participative Decision Making; Measures (Individuals); Influences; Early Childhood Teachers; School Personnel; Child Caregivers; Administrators |
| Abstract: |
Effective leadership can support positive outcomes for staff, center quality, children, and families in center-based early care and education (ECE) settings. As important as leadership is, little is known about who participates in leadership in center-based ECE settings, what actions people take as leaders, and how leadership influences staff and center outcomes. The Early Care and Education Leadership Study (ExCELS) was launched to help define leadership in center-based ECE settings that serve children birth to five and understand how leadership can support quality improvement. The ExCELS study team created a theory of change that describes: (1) what can influence ECE leadership; (2) what leadership can look like in center-based ECE settings; and (3) what ECE leadership can influence. Using data collected from 110 ECE centers, the ExCELS team developed a measure of ECE leadership and conducted analyses to test parts of the study's theory of change. This brief describes the support they found for measuring leadership in this way. It also shows how leadership can help produce good outcomes in the center. |
| Abstractor: |
ERIC |
| Entry Date: |
2026 |
| Accession Number: |
ED678127 |
| Database: |
ERIC |