What Do We Know About Early Childhood Education?: A Research Based Practice

This text addresses a critical requirement of the federal No Child Left Behind Act-that of applying scientifically based research to educational practice. Part one looks at the research base, how to evaluate research, and sources for accessing research in early childhood. Part two examines the research base as it currently exists and presents summarized research findings on such vital topics as grade retention, half-day versus full-day kindergarten, academic redshirting, class size, discipline, and readiness. Part three challenges students to apply research to practice. Students are encouraged to discuss with one another provocative case studies and to conduct projects and activities on their own to apply what they have learned. To promote student comprehension and retention, the author has used a conversational format with questions interspersed throughout. And, she ends each chapter with a summary and suggestions for students to to help them extend their understanding of the material.