CEHD researchers studying family-led early childhood systems change for educational equity

CEHD Researchers Studying Family-Led Early Childhood Systems Change For Educational Equity

Colleen Vesely, Associate Professor, College of Education and Human Development (CEHD); Bethany Letiecq, Associate Professor, Research Methods, CEHD; Rochelle Davidson Mhonde, Assistant Professor, Global and Community Health; and Jung Yeon Park, Assistant Professor of Quantitative Research Methods, School of Education, received funding for the project: “Family-Led Early Childhood Systems Change for Educational Equity.”

The researchers are using this planning grant to develop a multi-method interdisciplinary Community-based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR) project focused on comprehensive early childhood systems transformation in Fairfax County, Virginia to support equity in educational outcomes. 

They are building on 18 months of foundational CBPAR work conducted by lead investigators in partnership with families, Fairfax County government and community agency officials, and strategic regional and national advisors to build a family partnership framework for educational equity. 

On the importance of this project, Vesely said, “Partnering with families to drive change through equitable, community-based partnerships will transform early care and education systems to truly meet families where they are by being accessible, navigable, and high-quality.”

The researchers received $74,913 from the Spencer Foundation for this project. Funding began in April 2024 and will end in late March 2025.

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