Ready, Set, Go: Assessing Capacity for Pre-K Expansion in New Jersey

The National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) is a research and evaluation organization that works with New Jersey and national policy makers and other stakeholders to improve the learning and development of young children by producing and communicating knowledge to transform policy and practice. It conducts and commissions rigorous research and policy analysis projects, performs evaluations of publicly-funded preschool programs, and provides technical assistance and leadership development for early childhood administrators and programs.

This project supports two components of a larger initiative that is designed to examine the capacity to expand preschool in New Jersey. In the first component, NIEER is conducting in-depth interviews with district and local early childhood leaders to capture their understanding, support, and concerns with expansion of preschool in their communities. The second component involves convening a work group of representatives from institutes of higher education to analyze the policy, funding, and implementation issues associated with preparing the teaching staff with required qualifications necessary for expansion.

This project, in concert with the other elements of the initiative, will lead to a comprehensive report that will help New Jersey ensure that appropriate budget and supports are in place for a successful expansion of high-quality preschool for vulnerable children.

Learn more about NIEER.