Forum Publications

Early Childhood Program Evaluations: A Decision-Maker’s Guide

Increasing demands for evidence-based early childhood services and the need by policymakers to know whether a program is effective or whether it warrants a significant investment of public and/or private funds—coupled with the often-politicized debate around these topics—make it imperative for policymakers and civic leaders to have the independent knowledge needed to be able to evaluate the quality and relevance of the evidence provided in reports. This clear, concise guide from the National Forum on Early Childhood Program Evaluation helps prepare decision-makers to be better consumers of evaluation information by posing five key questions that address both the substance and the practical utility of rigorous evaluation research.
Download PDF
Order Printed Copies

A Science-Based Framework for Early Childhood Policy

A ground-breaking framework for using evidence to improve outcomes in learning, behavior, and health for vulnerable children, co-authored by the members of the National Forum on Early Childhood Program Evaluation and the National Scientic Council on the Developing Child. Combining knowledge from neuroscience, behavioral and developmental science, economics, and 40 years of early childhood program evaluation, the authors provide an informed, nonpartisan, pragmatic framework to guide policymakers toward science-based policies that improve the lives of young children and benefit society as a whole.
Download PDF
Summary of Essential Findings
Order Printed Copies
Press Release
NCSL PowerPoint Presentation, Aug. 7, 2007 (PDF)
NCSL Press Conference Audio Recording, Aug. 6, 2007 (46:13, 2.8MB)
Summary of report in NGA Center for Best Practices “Bright Futures” Newsletter

Working Papers

The Forum’s concise but in-depth working papers discuss what program evaluation research can say about critical issues in child development, and what the implications are for policy and practice. Planned topics include economic supports for low-income families, the effect of programs targeting maternal depression on child development, and redefining health to improve outcomes for children. (PDFs coming soon)

Evaluation Science Briefs

The Forum’s concise but in-depth working papers discuss what program evaluation research can say about critical issues in child development, and what the implications are for policy and practice. Planned topics include economic supports for low-income families, the effect of programs targeting maternal depression on child development, and redefining health to improve outcomes for children.
More

Program Evaluation Glossary

An online resource offering plain-language definitions of commonly used terms in program evaluation research. More

More Center publications, including those from the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child