News and Briefs
These articles and briefs highlight the importance of our research and collaborative work.
Research-Practice Partnerships Strengthen Early Education
By Amanda Williford, Jason Downer, Kate Miller-Bains, Jenna Conway, Lisa Howard
The Future of Children
Spring, 2021
In the chapter, Developing Decision-Making Tools through Partnerships, learn how the University of Virginia, the Virginia Department of Education, and E3: Elevate Early Education, partnered to develop a more comprehensive assessment of young children’s kindergarten readiness, the Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program (VKRP). The partnership’s many benefits included a statewide snapshot of children’s readiness, a guide for teacher’s instructional practices and data to aid the state in targeting support.
Tough Test: The Nation’s Troubled Early Learning Assessment Landscape
By Lynn Olson, Brooke LePage
FutureEd
March 2021
The state of early learning assessments across the country is highly variable and lacking in many areas. In this report, Virginia’s assessment efforts are highlighted and the University of Virginia’s Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program (VKRP) is sited as an example of a kindergarten entry assessment.
Addressing Disparities in Early Childhood Education through Early Childhood Resources
By Stephanie Adams, Pilar Alamos, Parnia Ashari, Jayla Hart, Alita Robinson, Amanda Williford
University of Virginia
February 26, 2021
Researchers at the University of Virginia, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Education’s Early Childhood Office, have developed a framework to guide equity improvements to early childhood resources. Learn how you can use this tool to review your classroom materials.
Establishing the Building Blocks of High-Quality Early Childhood Education
By Amanda Williford
The Hill
June 8, 2019
Amanda Williford, Ph.D., Research Associate Professor at UVA, explains the importance of early childhood education and what is needed to transform it. Every young learner should be able to access high-quality early care and education.
Early Education is More Demanding than Ever, and Experts Have Concerns
By Melinda Wenner Moyer
New York Times
August 12, 2019
What does it means to be ready for kindergarten? Research from UVA’s Center for the Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning (CASTL) is cited in this article in the New York Times, which describes the current landscape for kindergartners.
Pre-School: It's Not Babysitting Anymore
By Sandy Hausman
WVTF Public Radio
October 28, 2019
Virginia governor Ralph Northam, a pediatric neurologist, hired a chief school readiness officer and is devoted to studying and fixing the problem of children not being ready for kindergarten. WVTF Public Radio shares more.
Kindergarten Assessments Begin to Shape Instruction
By Christina A. Samuels
Education Week
October 10, 2017
The Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program (VKRP), mentioned in this article, is a leader in multi-dimensional kindergarten assessments. Learn how these assessments can help children, teachers, schools, and communities.
ECE - Virginia Briefs
The following briefs showcase the latest findings at the intersection of early childhood education, research, and policy.
The Building Blocks of High-Quality Early Childhood Education Programs
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There's More to Gain by Taking a Comprehensive Approach to Early Childhood Development
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