Transformative Early Childhood Programs

The Abecedarian Study, conducted at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, provided evidence of the potential benefits of early childhood education for children living in poverty. These improvements in education, health and social wellbeing are manifest in long-term economic and community benefits. Now following some of the original infants into their 40s, the study has consistently demonstrated positive outcomes -- both anticipated and surprising.

Subsequent research, including studies of childcare quality and publicly-funded preschool, identified features of early childhood interventions that can produce positive outcomes for children and families. Numerous and varied early childhood initiatives have followed, with mixed results and modest long-term outcomes.

So why was the Abecedarian Project so successful?

Kathleen Gallagher, scientist at FPG Child Development Institute, will break down the Abecedarian study findings by focusing on the features of care and education that likely benefited the participants. She'll examine what we know (and don't know) about the study and sift through subsequent evidence on high-quality programs. She will discuss how features of high quality early childhood programs can be produced in multiple settings and why their implementation justifies and returns its substantial economic investment. With an eye on what this research means for policy, she will highlight implications for families and practitioners.