Usability, feasibility, and acceptability of a professional learning series on early learning practices

 

The Institute of Education Sciences released “Usability and Feasibility of the Leading Early Childhood Achievement and Development Professional Learning Series in Oklahoma” (REL 2026–015). Conducted by Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Southwest in partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Education, this study examines the usability, feasibility, and acceptability of Leading Early Childhood Achievement and Development (LEAD), a professional learning series designed to support school leaders’ and prekindergarten and kindergarten teachers’ use of play based learning and high quality interactions.  REL Southwest piloted LEAD with two cohorts of school leaders and teachers in Oklahoma during the 2023/24 and 2024/25 school years. Using interviews, observations, participation records, and exit ticket surveys, the study documents educators’ experiences with the professional learning series, identifying strengths, challenges, and opportunities for refinement. Findings provide practical guidance to inform ongoing improvement of the series and support future evaluation of its effectiveness.  Summary slides and accompanying technical appendixes present key findings and include detailed documentation of the study’s data sources, methods, instruments, and supplemental analyses. These materials offer researchers, policymakers, and practitioners insight into how professional learning on early learning practices can be designed and implemented to better meet educators’ needs.  To access the materials, please visit: https://ies.ed.gov/use-work/resource-library/report/descriptive-study/usability-and-feasibility-leading-early-childhood-achievement-and-development-professional-learning.