HIS COLLABORATIVE PROJECT, housed at the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, involves Northwestern University, Georgetown University, the University of Wisconsin, the University of Nebraska, Johns Hopkins University, and Columbia University. It fosters the analysis, synthesis, translation, and dissemination of findings from 40 years of early childhood program evaluation studies to learn more about what interventions work best and for whom. By adding program evaluation research to the growing portfolio of neuroscience, developmental psychology, and economics available through the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, the Center will generate unparalleled capacity to advance public understanding of the investment potential of the early childhood years.

Forum Members
Meta-analytic Database
Articles and Books by Forum Members
Forum Publications
Program Evaluation Glossary  (An online resource offering plain-language definitions of commonly used terms in program evaluation research.)

The work plan for the Forum includes:

• the nation’s most comprehensive database on early childhood program evaluation, from the prenatal period to age 5, built through a multi-university endeavor to collect, code, and input data which will provide the capacity to conduct authoritative meta-analyses on a broad range of compelling policy, practice, and developmental issues; More
• rigorous analyses of the findings of well-designed studies of programs designed to improve outcomes for children and/or provide effective support for their families;
• workshops involving key program evaluators and policy analysts representing a range of political perspectives to discuss the significance and implications of study findings;
• a variety of communications products, including issue briefs for policymakers and civic leaders, as well as peer-reviewed scientific papers and electronic communications assuring both broad-based and targeted dissemination of high quality information on a regular basis;