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Preschool Children

Academic Achievement Gap
commentary
The Potential for Early Years Programmes to Close the Disadvantage Gap Is Under-Examined
Megan Sim, Julie Belanger
Oct 12, 2018
Schools Week
Many schools are looking to close the disadvantage gap in their communities, but they need more evidence about what actually works. Research that helps policymakers and practitioners understand how early years interventions can promote equity and close the disadvantage gap is needed.
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Disadvantaged Students
commentary
How Early Childhood Education and Care Can Help to Tackle the Impact of Childhood Disadvantage
Tom McBride, Julie Belanger
Aug 20, 2018
Early Intervention Foundation
Disadvantaged children underperform educationally partly because on average they experience more risk factors. Interventions to address multiple causes of underperformance for disadvantaged children may have a better chance of success. The calibre of early childhood education and care professionals also likely matters.
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Childhood Development
essay
High-Quality Early Childhood Programs Can Change Lives
Jan 3, 2018
The most comprehensive look to date at the benefits of early childhood education found that 102 of 115 programs improved at least one outcome for children beyond a statistical doubt. And the economic and social benefits continue to pay dividends, sometimes well into adulthood.
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Preschool
commentary
In Britain's Approach to Free Child Care, Lessons for the U.S.
Barbara Janta
Oct 27, 2017
USA Today
If public school in America is free for kindergarten through high school, why not extend the same guarantee for the earliest years, when the potential impact is greatest? The United States can learn from Britain's experience in this area.
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United States
blog
State of the Union 2016: Insights on Obama's Last Address
Jan 13, 2016
RAND research, analysis, and expertise provide context for many of the issues discussed in President Barack Obama's final State of the Union address, including the threat of ISIS, global climate change, and bringing peace to Syria.
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Early Childhood Education
q&a
Investing in Kids Can Yield High Returns: Q&A with Lynn A. Karoly
Apr 8, 2015
The Center for High Impact Philanthropy
There is strong evidence of large potential economic returns to investing in high quality early childhood programs, but that doesn't mean that every program will generate equally large returns. Many programs likely have a “threshold” of quality and intensity that needs to be achieved in order to register positive returns.
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Educational Technology
essay
Tech for Tots
Jan 20, 2015
When it comes to youngsters and technology use, how much is too much? How young is too young? RAND is on the case, to help prepare children for success in school and life.
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Preschool
commentary
To Eliminate the 'Readiness Gap,' Preschool Is Just the Beginning
Michael D. Rich @michaeldrich
Nov 26, 2013
RAND Review
Preschool for four-year-olds should be as common as kindergarten is for five-year-olds. Ultimately, the goal should be the elimination of the readiness gap through expanded access to preschool, written materials in the home, and technology that could improve delivery of such materials.
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Preschool Children
commentary
Give Poor Kids a Chance with Early Education
Lynn A. Karoly
Apr 10, 2013
The Guardian
Federal and state initiatives to advance preschool program quality will further ensure that these investments in early learning programs will achieve their full promise and promote healthy child development — physically, socially, emotionally, and academically, writes Lynn Karoly.
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Preschool Children
blog
RAND Researchers Discuss Early Childhood Development
Feb 21, 2013
Joe Dougherty summarizes key points from a media conference call with RAND experts on early childhood development and education.
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commentary
The President's Early Childhood Expansion Should Take a 'Portfolio' Approach
M. Rebecca Kilburn
Feb 21, 2013
The RAND Blog
A optimal approach to strategically expanding access to early childhood programs is one that helps states and communities identify evidence-based approaches that address their particular needs, within the context of their characteristics, writes M. Rebecca Kilburn.
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Preschool Children
blog
Bernanke Knows a Good Investment When He Sees One
Lynn A. Karoly
Aug 2, 2012
Chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve System Ben S. Bernanke cited RAND studies that have documented the importance of investing early in children's learning as he made the case that early education programs are one of the best investments that society can make in its future.
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commentary
Preschool Pays Off
Dana Schultz
Sep 20, 2006
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Published commentary by RAND staff: Preschool Pays Off, in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
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commentary
Benefits of Preschool Come with Every Dollar
Lynn A. Karoly, James H. Bigelow
Apr 26, 2006
Los Angeles Times
Published commentary by RAND staff: Benefits of Preschool Come with Every Dollar, in the Los Angeles Times.
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