University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Studies
Policy and Practice Study
Researchers assessed and examined federal, state and local early childhood education policies, as well as local practices across rural and urban settings, to determine how policy and practice are associated with prekindergarten through third grade outcomes.
Classroom Observation Study
Researchers studied classroom practices and processes to identify malleable factors that differentiate child outcomes across rural and urban communities. They also explored how community setting (rural vs. urban) moderates the association between practices and child outcomes.
Longitudinal Study
Researchers determined the effects of malleable factors on children’s academic and social-emotional outcomes, specifically examining transition periods across the pre-K to grade 3 continuum and effects on long-term developmental trajectories. They also assessed whether malleable factors narrow opportunity gaps for children from disadvantaged backgrounds living in urban and rural community settings.
Setting
The Learning Frontiers studies took place in 12 geographically-dispersed school districts across Nebraska (10 rural and 2 urban).
About the Team
Personnel
Principal Investigator
Susan Sheridan, Ph.D.
Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools University of Nebraska–Lincoln
ssheridan2@unl.edu
Co-Principal Investigator
Lisa Knoche, Ph.D.
Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
lknoche2@unl.edu
Co-Principal Investigator
Iheoma U. Iruka, Ph.D.
Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
iruka@unc.edu
Co-Principal Investigator
James Bovaird, Ph.D.
Methodology, Analytics and Psychometrics Academy
Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
jbovaird2@unl.edu
Co-Investigator
Mark DeKraai, Ph.D.
Nebraska Public Policy Center
University of Nebraska
mdekraai2@unl.edu
