Resource Title:
2005: Sharon Lynn Kagan

Sharon Lynn Kagan has been instumental in defining and building early childhood care and education as a critically important public policy field, and as the foundation for a lifetime of education and learning. Throughout her career, she has coupled research and policy to increase public understanding of, and investment in, the programs and services that support young children and their families. Kagan, more than any other person, has defined what a system of early childhood education should include. Her work has contributed to bringing together diverse stakeholders in the early childhood field — child care, Head Start, school-based pre-kindergarten, and family child care and support. Kagan is currently professor adjunct at Yale University’s Child Study Center, where she has been engaged in teaching and research since 1980. She has published more than 150 articles and written or edited 12 books focused on issues such as the development of policy for children and families, family support, early childhood pedagogy, strategies for collaboration and service integraion, and the evaluation of social programs. Over the years, Kagan has advised and mentored presidents, governors, legislators, foundation officials, teachers, graduate students and parents. She has served as a consultant to the White House, Congress, federal agencies, the National Governors Association and numerous states, foundations, corporations and professional associations.