Big Ten Early Learning Alliance

Our Work

Analysis briefs

At least twice each year, the Big Ten Early Learning Alliance will produce an analysis brief on a particular topic of research in early childhood. The briefs are designed to aid policymakers in the states and communities where our universities are located, using data from research undertaken in our communities and relevant to the pressing concerns of our communities.

BIG TEN EARLY LEARNING ALLIANCE BRIEF Number 1 — Fall 2024

State of Early Childhood Education in Big Ten States
Laura Justice & W. Steven Barnett

This brief is available either as a webpage or as a downloadable PDF.

Click here to view the web version of the brief.

The cover of a PDF version of the Big Ten Early Learning Alliance brief number 1, "State of Early Childhood Education in Big Ten States"

Click here or on the image above to download a PDF of the brief.

Online discussions on early childhood research and policy

Throughout the year, the Big Ten Early Learning Alliance is holding online discussions on critical topics in early childhood research and policy. These discussions, which are free and open to the public, are designed to bring the latest scientific findings to a broader audience, translating research into workable solutions to improve outcomes for young children in the Big Ten states.

December 2024: Reflecting on the Perry Preschool and Chicago Longitudinal Studies

The Perry Preschool Project and Chicago Longitudinal Study are two landmark studies demonstrating the value of high-quality early childhood education for children and society. With data collection starting in 1962, the Perry Preschool Project was one of the first real cohort studies in the field of early childhood education. Kicking off in 1986, the Chicago Longitudinal Study is the largest and longest running. Featuring experts from the Big Ten Early Learning Alliance, this event reflected on the value of these two studies and how they apply to today’s current context.

Watch the recording on our YouTube channel.

Extra resources:

  • Download a PDF of the slides presented by Dr. W. Steven Barnett concerning the Perry Preschool Project
  • Download a PDF of the slides presented by Dr. Arthur Reynolds concerning the Chicago Longitudinal Study

    • October 2024: The State of ECE Data in Big Ten States

    In this panel, experts from Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, and Georgia discuss barriers and opportunities surrounding the use of data systems that states maintain about the services provided to children before they enter kindergarten. Three themes arose from the discussion: 1) securing funding to sustain these data systems; 2) finding the right experts to build and maintain data systems; 3) building trust between state agencies and the stakeholders (such as care and early education providers, as well as researchers and policy advocates) who provide, share and use state data.

    Watch the recording on our YouTube channel.

    Extra resources:

  • Transform State Early Childhood Data to Meet the Needs of Children, Families, and Those Who Support Them — a policy brief from the Data Quality Campaign to promote an understanding by states of the return on investment of improving their early childhood data capacity
  • Early Intervention Exiter — a PDF flyer that briefly describes a pilot program in Ohio to make a connection between families with a child who has aged out of Early Intervention, and early education programs that can support the child until the child enters kindergarten