A Case Study of the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care - This 2008 case study examines how Massachusetts successfully consolidated its early childhood programs under one governance structure. It shares the strengths and weaknesses of Massachusetts’ approach, and offers insights into other states’ experiences with similar governance structures. (Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy & Strategies for Children, April 2008)...

A Case Study of the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care - The study assesses the impact of the creation of Massachusetts’s Department of Early Education and Care. It finds that while there are benefits to consolidating all early childhood programs under one department such as consistency in regulation and policies, reduction of wait-list for child care – with the department piloting Universal Pre-Kindergarten – the state’s department also experienced several drawbacks – inefficient transmission of funds to communities, lacking long-term vision, and struggling to focus on quality, professional development and the “education” aspect of its mission. The brief also provides lessons and recommendations to states considering creating a similar department, highlighting strong advocacy as key. (Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy, April 2008)...

Common Vision, Different Paths: Five States’ Journey Toward Comprehensive Prenatal-to-Five Systems - This report details five states' journeys toward comprehensive and coordinated early childhood systems as of 2007. The report names “four cornerstones” that contributed to system-building success in California, Illinois, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania. (Zero to Three and Pre-K Now, 2007)...