| Title: |
Evaluation of the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program Teacher Salary Increase Pilot. OPRE Report #2025-136 |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Michelle F. Maier; Alexandra Bernardi; Michele Abbott; Rebecca Davis; Cynthia Miller; Administration for Children and Families (ACF) (DHHS), Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE); MDRC; MEF Associates; Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago |
| Source: |
Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation. 2025. |
| 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: |
136 |
| Publication Date: |
2025 |
| Contract Number: |
HHSP233201500059I |
| Document Type: |
Numerical/Quantitative Data; Reports - Research |
| Education Level: |
Early Childhood Education |
| Descriptors: |
Early Childhood Teachers; Teacher Salaries; Child Care; Pilot Projects; State Programs; Child Care Centers; Program Implementation; Program Effectiveness; Program Costs |
| Geographic Terms: |
Colorado |
| Abstract: |
Child care and early education (CCEE) teachers work in one of the lowest-paid occupations nationwide, and they often rely on public assistance or second jobs to make ends meet. Low pay makes it challenging for child care centers to recruit and retain qualified professionals, which may affect the quality and continuity of care and education that young children receive. The Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) created the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) Teacher Salary Increase Pilot (hereafter referred to as the pilot program) to address the issues of low pay and high turnover rates in the CCEE workforce in Colorado. The pilot program was designed to raise the salaries of lead and assistant teachers in center-based child care settings to be closer to a wage that meets the minimum standards of living in their counties. MDRC, in collaboration with MEF Associates and Decision Information Resources, Inc., conducted an evaluation of the pilot program as part of the Building and Sustaining the Child Care and Early Education Workforce (BASE) project. The BASE project sought to increase knowledge and understanding in the CCEE field by documenting factors that drive workforce turnover and by building evidence on current strategies to recruit, advance, and retain a stable and qualified CCEE workforce. The evaluation of the pilot program examined its implementation, impacts, and costs. This report presents the evaluation's findings. |
| Abstractor: |
ERIC |
| Entry Date: |
2026 |
| Accession Number: |
ED678137 |
| Database: |
ERIC |