Past Presentations & Trainings
Here's where to find us in the coming months.
- Free Data Training Workshop at the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Biennial Conference
- Free Summer Data Workshop: Examining Quality in Publicly Supported Early Childhood Programs
Free Data Training Workshop at the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Biennial Conference
Date and time: April 1, 2009, 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Locations: Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Biennial Conference, Denver, Colorado
This workshop will provide an overview of the Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey (FACES) design and methodology and introduce potential data users on how to use the FACES datasets for secondary data analysis. FACES is an ongoing series of longitudinal studies of Head Start program characteristics and child outcomes, using nationally representative samples of Head Start programs, children, and families. Longitudinal data from three cohorts completed to date (FACES 1997, 2000, 2003) are available for secondary analysis. Procedures for extracting data, using appropriate weights for analyses, and running descriptive statistics will also be demonstrated. A project description, instruments, and previous reports from the data can be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/hs/faces/index.html.
FACES data are ideal for examining relationships between factors at the program, classroom and individual child level, including how indicators of quality, curricula and teacher characteristics relate to child cognitive and social outcomes. These data are appropriate for hierarchical linear models and growth models designed to test hypotheses about the links between program characteristics and classroom-level indicators of instructional quality. The workshop will review the data organization and features (e.g., weighting characteristics), and present trial analyses to discuss decision processes required when using the dataset.
These data are made available for secondary analysis through Research Connections. Along with other data sets available through Research Connections, the FACES data are well-suited for use by graduate students exploring research opportunities, instructors interested in bringing large national data into the classroom, and researchers analyzing the development of young children.
NOTE: Workshop participants are encouraged to bring their own laptops equipped with DVD drive in order to explore codebooks during the workshop. There is no fee to attend this workshop, but space is limited and advance registration is required. You must be registered for the Society for Research in Child Development to participate. Workshop slots will be awarded on a first-come/first-served basis. To register, send mail to: contact@researchconnections.org.
2009-03-14
Free Summer Data Workshop: Examining Quality in Publicly Supported Early Childhood Programs
Date and time: July 13 - 16, 2009
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
This workshop is designed to train researchers to access, analyze, and use datasets to examine quality in early childhood settings, focusing on quality in publicly-funded programs: state prekindergarten, Head Start, Early Head Start.
The workshop will begin with a thorough discussion of the concepts of structural and process quality in early childhood education. It will examine different instruments used to measure quality, including their pros and cons, psychometric properties, and aspects of quality they may not measure. Further, it will expand the discussion of quality to include other variables available in the datasets that can be used to examine structural and process quality. These include more proximal variables like teachersŐ education and training, class size, high quality provider-child, child-child, and provider-parent interactions
Featured datasets include: the National Center for Early Development and Learning Multi-State Study of Pre-Kindergarten, 2001-2003; Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Study (EHSRE) Pre-K Wave; Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey (FACES): Early Childhood Longitudinal Study: Birth Cohort (ECLS-B).
Participants will learn the studies' purpose, methods, and key findings, as they gain exposure to these data and ways to manipulate them. Participants are expected to have a basic understanding of secondary data, fundamental data analysis skills in SPSS, SAS, or Stata, and a substantive interest in early child care and development.
Enrollment is limited. Researchers interested in quality issues in child care and early education are encouraged to apply. All applications much include a curriculum vita and cover letter summarizing research interests and experiences. Admitted graduate students, post-doctoral scholars, and junior faculty/researchers will be considered for one of a limited number of stipends to help with travel and housing costs. To be considered for one of these awards, submit a letter of support from a senior faculty member, mentor, or advisor.
The application deadline is May 15, 2009.
2009-03-16
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