Research and Evaluation
Early Education in Oregon by the Numbers
The Status of Oregon Children & Families: 2017 County Data Book recently released by Children First for Oregon compiles data on how kids across the state are faring in health, education, and economic security. Here we highlight some key findings underscoring...
New Report Highlights Challenges Facing Children in Immigrant Families
We know that high-quality early education improves long-term outcomes for kids, and yet only 59 percent of American children from immigrant families aged three to five are enrolled in preschool.These children—the vast majority of whom are themselves US...
EKT Program Connects Kids to Schools, Boosts Attendance and Literacy
With school back in session, many young children are just getting to know their kindergarten classrooms. To help with the transition, school districts in Multnomah County have offered an Early Kindergarten Transition program to students who have not had preschool...
Waverly Elementary’s innovative preschool program: Engaging kids with best practices
In this episode, we talk to lead teacher Katy Allaback and assistant teacher Carlos Sanchez about Waverly Elementary School in Albany, where an innovative preschool was built from the ground up. This is part two in our podcast about Waverly's preschool. Listen to...
Make It Your Business Luncheon Keynote from Prof. Sean Reardon
Professor Sean Reardon, a Stanford researcher, was the keynote speaker for our annual Make It Your Business Luncheon. Reardon received his doctorate from Harvard and has spent his career researching how to ensure every child is able to obtain the best education. In...
9th Annual Make It Your Business Luncheon Recap
On Thursday, May 18, 300 early childhood advocates, educators, business leaders, and friends attended Children’s Institute’s Make It Your Business Luncheon at the Portland Art Museum. More than $153,000 was raised to continue our advocacy for strategic investments...
Interview with public health and early education expert Donalda Dodson
Donalda Dodson, MPH, RN, will receive the Richard C. Alexander Award at the Make It Your Business Luncheon on Thursday, May 18. Ms. Dodson is a pioneer in public health who has dedicated over 40 years to strengthening the health of pregnant women, young children,...
Unpacking 13 Percent ROI on Early Investments
Investments in early childhood that focus on children age 0-5 can yield a 13 percent return. Talking with Marina Merrill, Children's Institute's senior research and policy advisor, we examine the results of a recent paper from James Heckman called The Life-Cycle...
Early Works Progress Report
This is our first report on the progress that children and families are making at the two Early Works sites – east Portland's Early Boyles Elementary and Yoncalla Elementary in rural Yoncalla. The report is based on data from an annual evaluation of the Early Works...
Rural Education in Oregon
This new study, conducted by the Children's Institute and Chalkboard Project, finds that rural Oregon students face the twin challenges of poverty and distance in meeting their education goals. The study examines how rural students perform compared to their peers...