Early Learning Network

05/31/2024

As we mark the end of the active grant period for the Early Learning Network project, our sincere thanks go to the Institute of Education Sciences and many network researchers who poured their hearts into this work, as well as the hundreds of educators, administrators, parents and children across the U.S. who participated in our various studies.

We look forward to future collaboration opportunities and bold research endeavors that will extend the network’s findings — with the ultimate goal to narrow opportunity gaps and improve outcomes for all young learners.

You may continue to visit our website and access its resources, but it will no longer be updated. Wishing you all the best!

Thank you and Farewell   Dear friends and colleagues,   It is with a sense of gratitude and reflection that we announce the conclusion of the Early Learning Network project — a remarkable journey of exploration and collaboration in the field of early childhood education...

05/29/2024

Did you know the Early Learning Network has a YouTube playlist with dozens of videos showcasing our early childhood education research and findings? The playlist includes a variety of presentations, webinars, explainer videos and more. Check it out now or bookmark for later!

🔗 https://bit.ly/4aCRdvd

05/28/2024

Kindergarten sets the stage for students' elementary years and beyond. The U.S. Department of Education recently announced new grant opportunities to support transitions to kindergarten, including a program to advance early literacy skills among underserved populations.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced two new grant opportunities that include invitational priorities to support transitions to

05/16/2024

Research shows that racial and ethnic gaps in school achievement, behavior and social skills emerge early on in a child’s life and persist through kindergarten.

A recent Early Learning Network study, led by Iheoma U. Iruka, UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, in collaboration with colleagues at the Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools, examined factors that may help narrow gaps at the end of kindergarten, specifically among Black, White and Latine students.

The findings highlight the importance of early intervention, home-school connection and culturally responsive practices to ensure equitable learning opportunities for all students. Learn more on our blog!

Strong connections between home and school, especially trust and partnership between parents and teachers, play a significant role in reducing kindergarten gaps for students from minoritized communities. Early intervention and culturally responsive practices are key to ensuring all children receive....

04/10/2024

It's the Week of the Young Child! 🎉 We're joining The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)’s annual celebration of young children — and recognize all the teachers and families dedicated to their education and well-being!

Take a look at ELN's research on key impact areas that make a difference in early learning: https://bit.ly/3otnKBw

What does the Early Learning Network’s research tell us about how to support children’s early learning success?   A new series of briefs outline the network’s collective findings and contributions to the field of early childhood education. Discover impact areas, key takeaways and action steps...

03/29/2024

A recent Early Learning Network study, led by researchers at the University of Michigan Marsal Family School of Education, MDRC and the Harvard Graduate School of Education in partnership with Boston Public Schools, adds valuable evidence to improving future early childhood education assessments of quality — an essential step for shaping effective practices and promoting equitable outcomes for all children.

Visit our website to learn more about this study and its findings.

Traditional classroom quality measures may overlook individual children’s diverse learning experiences, even within the same classroom. New tools are needed to improve outcomes for all children.   A recent Early Learning Network study, led by researchers at the University of Michigan, MDRC and th...

12/14/2023

Explore recent publications from Network researchers! Journal articles examine policies and practices in education that may narrow opportunity gaps and help children maintain success as they transition from pre-K to third grade and beyond.

🔗 https://bit.ly/3RuijhK

12/11/2023

During the Early Learning Network Forum, Jason Sachs, U.S. deputy director for early learning at the Gates Foundation and former director of early childhood for Boston Public Schools, provided insights on the network's findings associated with the OLOS classroom assessment tool.

See more about OLOS ›› https://bit.ly/3Rso4N3

12/05/2023

During the Early Learning Network Forum, Alissa Mwenelupembe, senior director, Early Learning Program Accreditation, The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), shared insights on the network's findings associated with the OLOS classroom assessment tool.

Learn about OLOS on our blog. ›› https://bit.ly/3Rso4N3

12/04/2023

Individualized instruction is key to student success. One of the most exciting products generated and refined through the Early Learning Network studies is a web-based classroom assessment tool known as OLOS — the Optimizing Learning Opportunities for Students Observation System.

OLOS addresses the need for a comprehensive, multidimensional assessment tool to support individualized instruction from pre-K through the early elementary grades. Visit our blog to learn more.

The OLOS tool addresses the need for a comprehensive, multidimensional assessment tool to support individualized instruction from pre-K through the early elementary grades.   One of the most exciting products generated and refined through the Early Learning Network studies is a web-based classroom ...

11/09/2023

“For alignment to happen, and high-quality instruction that limits redundancy, you have to have a school schedule in place that allows for consistent collaboration — not only in a grade level, but across grade levels.”

—Gracie Branch, associate executive director for professional learning, National Association of Elementary School Principals

Visit our blog to learn more!

Early Learning Network research underscores the importance of consistency and continuity in providing high-quality educational experiences from pre-K to third grade, including strong alignment and transition practices.   Earlier this year, Early Learning Network (ELN) teams released a set of briefs...

11/07/2023

Research tells us children perform best when there is consistency and continuity across their educational experiences. Providing children with sustained, high-quality educational experiences involves aligning programs from pre-K to third grade and ensuring smooth transitions between grades.

Explore the Early Learning Network's collective findings associated with Sustained High-Quality Experiences — plus suggested action steps for practice, policy and research and insights from the field. 🔗 https://bit.ly/49bFAvA