Evaluation Exchange: Early Childhood Programs and Evaluation

The Spring 2004 issue of Harvard Family Research Project's "The Evaluation Exchange" charts the course of early childhood programming and evaluation over nearly half a century. Contributing authors offer arange of views on how best to communicate the importance of investing in a child's early years and how to improve early childhood programmes and policies. Several articles consider the explosion of science - from longitudinal studies of child outcomes to a large-scale demonstration programme - that has helped forward our understanding of how young children learn and grow. Finally, a number of articles suggest that better information is needed to close the persistent gap in achievement between children from low-income families and those from middle-income homes.

The Harvard Family Research Project (HFRP) works to strengthen family, school, and community partnerships and early childhood care and education, promote evaluation and accountability, and offers professional development to those who work directly with children, youth, and families.

Click here to read this issue online or download in PDF format.