Research & Evaluation at Start Early
Start Early’s research and evaluation experts work closely with direct service programs, like Educare Chicago, to co-design and conduct research and evaluation that generates knowledge, drives quality improvement and innovation, and informs the development and application of practices, programs and policies. Our research is grounded in our real-world experience as program operators and professional development providers, as well as our partnerships with communities, advocates and systems leaders.
One of the important program changes that came from this relationship was the development of an annual family survey. Since its creation, the annual family survey has provided key data that has helped launch several successful solutions over the years. Some of the more recent solutions include:
Now, in its 25th year, Educare Chicago is piloting new solutions around social-emotional learning approaches and addressing staffing shortages. These recent initiatives reinforce the special relationship of our RP3 approach, where our research experts are a core part of Educare Chicago’s school community and truly embedded and collaborative in their work, versus more traditional research that can be experienced as extractive. Start Early and Educare Chicago believe that data is everyone’s responsibility and, through this way of working, anyone can help make positive change at their school or in their community.
