Engage and found out more about the early childhood field and network with other professionals.
Advocacy and Policy
Research Connections
http://www.childcareresearch.org/childcare/welcome
Research Connections promotes high quality research and the use of the research in policymaking. They compile and distribute bibliographies, develop issue briefs, and synthesize research on key topics.
The Children’s Defense Fund
http://www.childrensdefense.org
The Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) is a national non-profit child advocacy organization that has worked for 35 years to ensure a level playing field for all children. They champion policies and programs that lift children out of poverty; protect them from abuse and neglect; and ensure their access to health care, quality education and a moral and spiritual foundation. Supported by foundation and corporate grants and individual donations, CDF advocates nationwide on behalf of children to ensure children are always a priority.
The Early Education Initiative of New America
http://earlyed.newamerica.net/blogmain
The Early Education Initiative of New America seeks to promote a high-quality and continuous system of early care and education for all children, birth to age 8. Much of its focus is on pre-K up through 3rd grade.
The Education Commission of the States
The Education Commission of the States (ECS) is an interstate compact created in 1965 to improve public education by facilitating the exchange of information, ideas and experiences among state policymakers and education leaders. ECS creates unique opportunities to build partnerships, share information and promote the development of policy based on available research and strategies. A component, Early Learning and the Early Grades, is dedicated to issues relating to learning and development of children.
The National Center for Children in Poverty
The National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) is the nation’s leading public policy center dedicated to promoting the economic security, health, and well-being of America’s low-income families and children. NCCP uses research to inform policy and practice with the goal of ensuring positive outcomes for the next generation, and promote family-oriented solutions at the state and national levels.
Applied Research
Doing What Works
Doing What Works (DWW) is a website sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. The goal of DWW is to create an online library of resources that may help teachers, schools, districts, states and technical assistance providers implement research-based instructional practice. Much of the DWW content is based on information from IES’ What Works Clearinghouse(WWC). The WWC evaluates research on practices and interventions to let the education community know what is likely to work. DWW provides examples of possible ways educators might apply those research findings.
ERIC – the Education Resources Information Center
ERIC – the Education Resources Information Center – is an online digital library of education research and information sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of the U.S. Department of Education. ERIC provides ready access to education literature to support the use of educational research and information to improve practice in learning, teaching, educational decision-making, and research.
The What Works Clearinghouse
The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) is a central source of scientific evidence for what works in education. An initiative of the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences, the WWC produces user-friendly practice guides for educators that address instructional challenges with research-based recommendations for schools and classrooms; assesses the rigor of research evidence on the effectiveness of interventions (programs, products, practices, and policies), giving educators the tools to make informed decisions; develops and implements standards for reviewing and synthesizing education research; and provides a public and easily accessible registry of education evaluation researchers to assist schools, school districts, and program developers with designing and carrying out rigorous evaluations.
The National Institute for Early Education Research
The National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) conducts and communicates research to support high quality, effective, early childhood education for all young children. The Institute offers independent research-based advice and technical assistance to policy makers, journalists, researchers, and educators.
SchoolsMovingUp
http://www.schoolsmovingup.net
SchoolsMovingUp, a WestEd initiative (non-profit agency), helps schools and districts address the challenge of raising student achievement. In an interactive web format, SchoolsMovingUp offers resources to help education professionals make sound decisions and take action in their school reform efforts. Resources include profiles of schools and districts nationwide that have improved student achievement, easily implemented or replicated school and district tips to assist in school improvement efforts, and abstracts of articles offering practical ideas and models for school improvement.
Government Programs Resources
The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/csefel/index.html
The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) is focused on promoting the social emotional development and school readiness of young children birth to age 5. CSEFEL is a national resource center funded by the Office of Head Start and Child Care Bureau for disseminating research and evidence-based practices to early childhood programs across the country.
The Office of Head Start
http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc
The Office of Head start (OHS) launched the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC) to provide timely information and learning opportunities relevant to the Head Start and Early Head Start community, and to serve as a comprehensive resource for anyone involved in early childhood education.
The Early Head Start National Resource Center
The Early Head Start National Resource Center (EHS NRC) was created by the Office of Head Start, Administration for Children and Families (ACF). The EHS NRC is a storehouse of early childhood expertise that promotes the building of new knowledge and the sharing of information.
Head Start Body Start National Center for Physical Development and Outdoor Play
http://www.aahperd.org/headstartbodystart/
Head Start Body Start National Center for Physical Development and Outdoor Play (HSBS) is a collaboration between the American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation (AAPAR) and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) and is funded by a grant from the Administration for Children and Families. Head Start Body Start aims to increase physical activity, outdoor play, and healthy eating among Head Start and Early Head Start children, families, and staff. They help Head Start and Early Head Start Centers create healthy learning environments and promote physical activity that leads to the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of young children and reduces obesity and its associated costs.
National Center for Early Development and Learning
http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~ncedl/index.cfm
National Center for Early Development and Learning, NCEDL focuses on enhancing the cognitive, social, and emotional development of children from birth through age eight.
The National Child Care Information and Technical Assistance Center
The National Child Care Information and Technical Assistance Center (NCCIC), a service of the Child Care Bureau, is a national clearinghouse and technical assistance (TA) center that provides comprehensive child care information resources and TA services to Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Administrators and other key stakeholders.
National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center
NECTAC is the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center supported by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). NECTAC serves all 50 states and 10 jurisdictions with an array of services and supports to improve service systems and outcomes for infants, toddlers, and preschool aged children with special needs and their families.
The National Infant & Toddler Child Care Initiative
http://nitcci.nccic.acf.hhs.gov/index.htm
The National Infant & Toddler Child Care Initiative @ ZERO TO THREE (NITCCI) is a project of the Child Care Bureau. NITCCI works collaboratively with Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) administrators and other partners to advance system initiatives to improve the quality and supply of infant/toddler child care. NITCCI collects and disseminates information on infant/toddler child care supply, investments, and initiatives; produces materials and resources; and responds to requests for information and technical assistance related to infant/toddler child care.
The National Resource Center
The National Resource Center is funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, HRSA. The NRC’s primary mission is to promote health and safety in out-of-home child care settings throughout the nation.
The State Education Technology Directors Association
The State Education Technology Directors Association is a national member association that serves, supports and represents the interests of the educational technology leadership of state education agencies. SETDA members work nationally and collaboratively with a wide range of state and local colleagues and in public-private partnerships.
Professional Organizations
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 pediatricians committed to the attainment of optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. Houses information regarding the Academy’s many programs and activities, policies and guidelines, and publications and other child health resources that comes from the nation’s leading child health experts and with scientific research supporting recommendations.
The American Library Association
The American Library Association (ALA) is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with members in academic, public, school, government, and special libraries. The mission of the American Library Association is to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.
The National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies
The National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) leads projects that increase the quality and availability of child care professionals, undertake research, and advocate child care policies that positively impact the lives of children and families.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is dedicated to improving the well-being of all young children, with particular focus on the quality of educational and developmental services for all children from birth through age 8.
National Association for Family Child Care
The mission of National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) is to support the profession of family child care and to encourage high-quality care for children. NAFCC promotes high-quality family child care through accreditation, leadership training, technical assistance, public education, and policy initiatives.
The National Association of Special Education Teachers
http://www.naset.org/799.0.html
The National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) is a national membership organization dedicated to rendering all possible support and assistance to those preparing for or teaching in the field of special education. NASET develops and promotes professional excellence through the support of teachers who provide services to children with special needs.
Current News in Early Childhood
Early Childhood Focus
http://www.earlychildhoodfocus.org/
Sponsored by the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies Early Childhood Focus provides parents, early childhood professionals, policy-makers, and advocates with the latest early childhood news from around the country.
Earlychildhood NEWS
http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/
Earlychildhood NEWS is an online resource for teachers and parents of children, from infants to age 8 years. Articles are available about child development, developmentally appropriate practices, health and safety, behavior and guidance, and assessment.
Eduflack
Eduflack is written by Patrick Riccards, one of the nation’s leading education communications strategists. In 2009, Pat was named one of the top communications professionals in the nation by PRWeek, the first time an individual from the education sector received the honor. He has worked with a wide range of distinguished organizations over his career, including American Institutes for Research, International Baccalaureate, National Governors Association, National Reading Panel, U.S. Department of Education, and many others.
Education Week
http://www.edweek.org/ew/index.html
Education Week offers a robust online presence. The site routinely hosts live Webinars and online chats with key education players and houses a most comprehensive K-12 Research Center and education news Archive.
eSchoolnews
eSchoolnews provides the latest news, resources and reports on the applications of technology to improve learning.
ScienceDaily
http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/educational_psychology/
ScienceDaily is one of the Internet’s most popular science news web sites and is best known for showcasing the top science news stories from the world’s leading universities and research organizations.