Synthesis of IES Research on Early Intervention and Early Childhood Education - The purpose of this synthesis is to describe what the Institute for Education Sciences (IES) has learned from research grants on early intervention and childhood education. This synthesis is not intended to be the typical research review, which provides a broad overview of research in a field. Rather, it looks across the projects that IES funded to determine what has been learned and to suggest to the field avenues for further research to support improvements in early childhood education in our country.(IES)...

Are Evidence-Based Programs Worth the Investment? - In 2007, the Birmingham, UK, City Council launched "Brighter Futures," a series of evidence-based programs to better the lives of the city's children. Focused on prevention and early intervention, the programs also included a research feature: outcomes were documented. Some worked well, one didn't and the jury is still out on the other two. They learned when an investment is planned (more than $63 million) it is best to use tested, effective programs and practices. Evidence-based programs can be worth the investment, and programs must be implemented with fidelity to the original, successful version. (Better: Evidence-Based Education, February 2013)...

Including Children with Disabilities in State Pre-K Programs - This brief provides an overview of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act as it pertains to young children with special needs, discusses challenges states face in meeting legal requirements, and provides recommendations to address those challenges. (Ellen Boylan and Dan Goldman, Education Law Center, February 2010)...

State Efforts to Meet the Early Childhood Transition Requirements of IDEA - Throughout the early childhood years, children with disabilities and their families undergo a variety of transitions between various agencies, settings and providers. The purpose of this document is to: (1) summarize the recommendations included in the transition initiative's document; and (2) highlight some of the policies/practices adopted by six states undertaken to meet the early childhood transition requirements of IDEA. (Eve Muller, Kathy Whaley and Beth Rous, Project Forum/National Association of State Directors of Special Education, April 2009)...