The evaluation roadmap for optimizing pre-K programs

In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that one of the best ways to build a productive and prosperous society is to start early – that is, before children enter kindergarten – in building children’s foundation for learning, health, and positive behavior. From the U.S. Chambers of Commerce to the National Academy of Sciences, those planning our country’s workforce insist we will need more people, with more diverse skills, to meet the challenges of the future. In response, educators have focused on supporting learning earlier, recognizing that early learning establishes the foundation upon which all future skill development is constructed. Identifying and replicating the most important features of successful pre-K programs in order to optimize this potential is now a national imperative.

A wealth of evidence supports continued efforts to improve and scale up pre-kindergarten (pre-K) programs. This evidence is summarized in a companion report to this evaluation roadmap: “Puzzling It Out: The Current State of Scientific Knowledge on Pre-Kindergarten Effects”. 

Designing programs in a way that ensures meaningful, short- and long-term effects requires evaluation of programs over time. This goal was the focus of a series of meetings and discussions among a high-level group of practitioners and researchers with responsibility for and experience with designing, implementing and evaluating pre-k programs across the country. This report reflects the best thinking of this practitioner-research engagement effort.