Kagan, Sharon L. (slk99)

Sharon L Kagan

Virginia and Leonard Marx Professor of Early Childhood and Family Policy and Co-Director of the National Center for Children and Families

Office Hours:

By Appointment

Educational Background

B.A., University of Michigan (English); M.A., Johns Hopkins University (Liberal Arts); Ed.D., Teachers College (Curriculum and Teaching).

Scholarly Interests

Application of child and parent development research to the formation and implementation of public policies; the impact of institutions  on the development of low-income children.

Selected Publications

Volumes and Editorships

2019

Kagan, S. L. (Ed.). (2019). The early advantage 2: Building systems that work for young children. New York, NY: Teachers College Press

2018

Kagan, S. L. (Ed.). (2018). The early advantage 1: Early childhood systems that lead by example. New York, NY: Teachers College Press

2016

Farrell, A., Kagan, S. L., & Tisdall, E. K. M. (Eds.) (2018). The SAGE handbook of early childhood research. London: SAGE Press.

2015

Kagan, S. L., & Gomez, R. E. (Eds.). (2015). Early childhood governance: Choices and consequences. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

2012

Kagan, S. L., & Kauerz, K. (Eds.). (2012). Early childhood systems: Transforming early learning. New York: Teachers College Press.

2010

Kagan, S. L., & Tarrant, K. (Eds.). (2010). Transitions in the early years: Creating a system of continuity. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing.

2008

Kagan, S.L., Kauerz, K., & Tarrant, K. ((2008). The early care and education teaching workforce at the fulcrum: An agenda for reform. New York : Teachers College Press.

2005

Kagan, S. L., & Stewart, V. (Eds.). (2005). A new world view: Learning from education in other countries [Special issue]. Phi Delta Kappan.

2004

Kagan, S. L., & Stewart, V. (Eds.). (2004). Putting the “World” in “World-Class Education” [Special issue]. Phi Delta Kappan, 83(3).

1997

Kagan, S. L., & Bowman, B. T. (Eds.). (1997). Leadership in early care and education . Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Kagan, S. L., & Cohen, N. E. (1997). Not by chance: Creating an early care and education system . New Haven: Yale University Bush Center in Child Development and Social Policy.

1996

Kagan, S. L., & Cohen, N. E. (Eds.). (1996). Reinventing early care and education: A vision for a quality system. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Zigler, E., Kagan, S. L., & Hall, N. (Eds.). (1996). Children, families, and government: Preparing for the 21st century . New York: Cambridge University Press.

1995

Kagan, S. L., Goffin, S. G., Golub, S. A., & Pritchard, E. (1995). Toward systemic reform: Service integration for young children and their families . Falls Church, VA: National Center for Service Integration.

1994

Kagan, S. L. (Ed.). (1994). Early care and education: Coming of age [Special issue]. Phi Delta Kappan , 76(3).

Kagan, S. L., & Weissbourd, B. (Eds.). (1994). Putting families first: America's family support movement and the challenge of change . San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

1993

Kagan, S. L. (with Neville, P. R.). (1993). Integrating services for children and families: Understanding the past to shape the future . New Haven: Yale University Press.

1991

Kagan, S. L. (Ed.). (1991). The care and education of America's young children: Obstacles and opportunities. National Society for the Study of Education, 90th Yearbook . Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Kagan, S. L. (1991). United we stand: Collaboration for child care and early education services. New York: Teachers College Press.

Kagan, S. L., & Garcia, E. (Eds.). (1991). Educating linguistically and culturally diverse preschoolers [Special issue]. Early Childhood Research Quarterly , 6(3).

1989

Kagan, S. L. (Ed.). (1989). Early care and education: Reflecting on options and opportunities [Special issue]. Phi Delta Kappan , 71(2).

1987

Kagan, S. L., Powell, D., Weissbourd, B., & Zigler, E. (Eds.). (1987). America's family support programs: Perspectives and prospects . New Haven: Yale University Press.

Kagan, S. L., & Zigler, E. F. (Eds.). (1987). Early schooling: The national debate . New Haven: Yale University Press.

1983

Zigler, E., Kagan, S. L., & Klugman, E. (Eds.). (1983). Children, families and government: Perspectives on American social policy . New York: Cambridge


Articles, Chapters, and Commissioned Papers 

In press 

Kagan, S. L. (In press). Beyond Monday morning: The Early Advantage examines contexts, services, and governance. Young Children.

Kagan, S. L., & Landsberg, E. (In press). Systems Sciences. In D. F. Gullo, & M. E. Graue (Eds.), The sciences of early childhood education: From diverse perspectives to common practices. Routledge.

Ponguta, L. A., Maldonado, C., Kagan, S. L., Yoshikawa, H., Nieto, A. M., Mateus, A., Aragon, C. A., Rodriguez, A. M., Motta, A., Guerrero, P. A., Varela, L. (In press). Adaptation of the Measuring Early Learning Quality and Outcomes (MELQO) framework to assess the quality of early childhood education settings in Colombia: Implications for Policy and the Sustainable Development Goals. Zeitschrift für Psychologie. 

Reid, J. L., Melvin, A. S., Kagan, S. L., & Brooks-Gunn, J. (In press). Building a unified system for universal pre-k: The example of New York City. Children and Youth Services Review. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.02.030.

Reid, J. L., Scott-Little, C., & Kagan, S. L. (In press). Diverse children, uniform standards: Using early learning and development standards in multicultural classrooms. Young Children.

2019

Kagan, S. L. (2019). Lessons and speculations. In S. L. Kagan (Ed.), The early advantage 2: Building systems that work for young children (pp. 215-232). New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

Kagan, S. L. (2019). The quest for social strategy. In S. L. Kagan (Ed.), The early advantage 2: Building systems that work for young children (pp. 1-19). New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

Kagan, S. L., Landsberg, E., Bull, R., & Roth, J. L. (2019). Comprehensive services, funding, and governance. In S. L. Kagan (Ed.), The early advantage 2: Building systems that work for young children (pp. 50-93). New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

Kagan, S. L., Melvin, S. A., Landsberg, E., Kumpulainen, K., & Reid, J. L. (2019). Knowledgeable and supported teachers and families. In S. L. Kagan (Ed.), The early advantage 2: Building systems that work for young children (pp. 94-140). New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

Kagan, S. L., Sylva, K., Reid, J. L., & Landsberg, E. (2019). Data to drive improvement. In S. L. Kagan (Ed.), The early advantage 2: Building systems that work for young children (pp. 174-214). New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

Reid, J. L., Kagan, S. L., Rao, N., & Landsberg, E. (2019). Strong policy foundations. In S. L. Kagan (Ed.), The early advantage 2: Building systems that work for young children (pp. 20-49). New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

Melvin, S. A., Landsberg, E., & Kagan, S. L. (2019). Informed, individualized, and continuous pedagogy. In S. L. Kagan (Ed.), The early advantage 2: Building systems that work for young children (pp. 141-173). New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

2018

Kagan, S. L. (2018). Acting on new narratives. In S. L. Kagan (Ed.), The early advantage 1: Early childhood systems that lead by example (pp. 182-2015). New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

Kagan, S. L. (2018). Changing the narratives. In S. L. Kagan (Ed.), The early advantage 1: Early childhood systems that lead by example (pp. 1-18). New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

Kagan, S. L., Gomez, R., & Roth, J. L. (2018). Creating a new era of usable knowledge: Enhancing early childhood development through systems research. In L. Miller, C. Cameron, C. Dalli, & N. Barbour (Eds.), SAGE handbook of early childhood policy. London: SAGE Press.

2017

Kagan, S. L. (2017). More than a program: A binocular view of prekindergarten as an elixir for early childhood reform [Foreword]. In B. Wilinski (Ed.), When pre-k comes to school: Policy, partnerships, and the early childhood education workforce (pp. vii-ix). New York: Teachers College Press.

Kagan, S. L., & Roth, J. L. (2017). Transforming early childhood systems for future generations: Obligations and opportunities. International Journal of Early Childhood, 49(2), 13-154.

Reid, J. L., Kagan, S. L., & Scott-Little, C. (2017). New understandings of cultural diversity and the implications for early childhood policy, pedagogy, and practice. Early Child Development and Care, DOI: 10.1080/03004430.2017.1359582.

Yoshikawa, H., Kagan, S. L., & Ponguta, L. A. (2017). Improving family modality services in Colombia: A preliminary approach to conceptualizing quality. Bogota, Colombia: Report submitted to the Colombia Ministry of Education.

Ponguta, L. A., Yoshikawa, H., & Kagan, S. L. (2017). Current global initiatives to develop population-level indicators of development for children 0 to 3 years. (2017). Bogota, Colombia: Report submitted to the Colombia Ministry of Education.

Yoshikawa, H., Ponguta, L. A., & Kagan, S. L. (2017). Analytic plan for the Colombia Early Learning Quality Instrument (CELQI) and MELQO Child Development and Learning (CDL) Assessment. Bogota, Colombia: Report submitted to the Colombia Ministry of Education.

2016

Kagan, S. L., Tisdall, E. K. M., & Farrell, A. (2016). Future directions in early childhood research: Addressing next-step imperatives. In A. Farrell, S. L. Kagan, & E. K. M. Tisdall (Eds.), The SAGE handbook of early childhood research (pp. 517-534). London: SAGE Press.

Kagan, S. L., Araujo, M. C., Jaimovich, A., & Aguayo Y. C. (2016). Understanding systems theory and thinking: Early childhood education in Latin America and the Caribbean. In A. Farrell, S. L. Kagan, & E. K. M. Tisdall (Eds.), The SAGE handbook of early childhood research (pp. 163-184). London: SAGE Press.

Reid, J. L., Kagan, S. L., & Scott-Little, C. (2016). Maximizing cultural capacity: Advancing standards-based improvements in early childhood education—Culturally responsive early learning standards: A review of the literature. Report submitted to the Foundation for Child Development.

2015

Kagan, S. L. (2015). Conceptualizing ECE governance: Not the elephant in the room. In L. Kagan & R. E. Gomez (Eds.), Early childhood governance: Choices and consequences (pp. 9-29). New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

Kagan, S. L., & Fox, E. A. (2015). Realising early childhood development’s promise: Building a system of high-quality, equitably distributed, and sustainable services. Every Child Australia, 21(1), 38-39.

Gomez, R. E., Kagan, S. L., & Fox, E. A. (2015). Professional development of the early childhood education teaching workforce in the United States: An overview. Professional Development in Education, 41(2), 169-186.

Reid, J. L., Kagan, S. L., Hilton, M., & Potter, H. (2015). A better start: Why classroom diversity matters in early education. New York, NY and Washington, DC: The Century Foundation and the Poverty & Race Research Action Council.

2014

Kagan, S. L., & Gomez, R. E. (2014). One, two, buckle my shoe: Early mathematics education and teacher professional development. In H. Ginsburg, M. Hyson, & T. Woods (Eds.), Preparing early childhood educators to teach math: Professional development that works (pp. 1-28). Baltimore, MD: Brookes Publishing.

Kagan, S. L., Gomez, R. E., & Friedlander, J. (2014). The status of early care and education: Teacher preparation in the United States (Trans.). In W. E. Fthenakis (Ed.), Early childhood teacher education in focus: Reforms and developments in European and international perspective (pp. 287-322). Bremen, Germany: Bildungsverlag EINS.

2013

Kagan, S. L. (2013). David, Goliath, and the ephemeral parachute: The relationship from a United States perspective. In P. Moss (Ed.), Early childhood and compulsory education: Reconceptualizing the relationship (pp. 130-148). Oxford, England: Routledge.

Kagan, S. L. (2013). Report on Turkish inspection system development: Narrative report. Ankara, Turkey: UNICEF and Ministry of Education.

Kagan, S. L., Castillo, E., Gomez, R. E., & Gowani, S. (2013). Understanding and using early learning standards for young children globally. International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy, 7(2), 53-66.

2012

Kagan, S. L. (2012). Early learning and development standards: An elixir for early childhood systems reform. In S. L. Kagan & K. Kauerz (Eds.), Early childhood systems: Transforming early learning (pp. 55-70). New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

Kagan, S. L., Tarrant, K., & Kauerz, K. (2012). Planning an early childhood system: Policies and principles matter. In S. L. Kagan & K. Kauerz (Eds.), Early childhood systems: Transforming early learning (pp. 137-154). New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

2011

Kagan, S. L., & Friedlander, J. (2011). Universal plus: What’s worth doing is worth doing well. In E. Zigler, W. S. Barnett & W. S. Gilliam (Eds.), The pre-k debates: Current controversies and issues (pp. 42-47). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.

Kagan, S. L., & Gomez, R. E. (2011). BA “plus:” Reconciling reality and reach. In E. Zigler, W. S. Barnett, & W. S. Gilliam (Eds.), The pre-k debates: Current controversies and issues (pp. 68-72). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.   

2010

Kagan, S. L. (2010). Seeing transition through a new prism: Pedagogical, programmatic, and policy alignment. In S. L. Kagan & K. Tarrant (Eds.), Transitions for young children: Creating connections across early childhood systems (pp. 3-17). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.

Kagan, S. L., & Britto, P. (2010). Global status of early learning and development standards. In P. Peterson, E. Baker, & B. McGaw (Eds.), International encyclopedia of education: Volume II (pp. 138-143). Oxford, UK: Elsevier.

Kagan, S. L., & Tarrant, K. (2010). Integrating pedagogy, practice, and policy: A transitions agenda. In S. L. Kagan & K. Tarrant (Eds.), Transitions for young children: Creating connections across early childhood systems (pp. 313-326). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.

2009

Kagan, S. L., & Reid, J. (2009). ECE2: A call for excellence, coherence, and equity in federal early childhood education policy. Washington DC: Center on Education Policy.

Kagan, S.L., & Reid, J. (2009). Invest in early childhood education. Phi Delta Kappan, 90(8), 572-576.

Kagan, S.L, Scott-Little, C., & Frelow V.S. (2009). Linking play to early learning and Development guidelines: Possibility or polemic? Zero to Three, 30(1), 18-24.

Kagan, S.L., Scott-Little, C., Frelow, V. S., & Reid, J. (2009). Infant-Toddler Learning Guidelines: The content states have addressed and implications for programs serving children with disabilities. Infants and Young Children, 22(2), 87-99.

2008

Kagan, S. L., & Britto, P. R. (2008). Early learning and development standards (ELDS) and going global: Frequently asked questions.  New York, NY: UNICEF.

Kagan, S. L., & Kauerz, K., (2008). Governing American early care and education: Shifting from government to governance and from form to function. In S. Feeney A. Galper, & C. Seefeldt (Eds.), Continuing issues in early childhood education (3rd ed., pp. 12-32). Columbus, OH: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.

Scott-Little, C., Kagan, S. L., Frelow, V. S., & Reid, J. (2008). Inside the content of infant-toddler early learning guidelines: Results from analyses, issues to consider, and recommendations. Greensboro, NC: University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Tarrant, K., Greenberg, E. H., Kagan, S. L., & Kauerz, K. (2008). The early childhood workforce. In S. Feeney (Ed.), Continuing issues in early childhood education (3rd ed., pp. 134-157). Columbus, OH: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.

2007

Kagan, S. L., & Kauerz, K. (2007). Reaching for the whole: Integration and alignment in early education policy. In R. C. Pianta, M. J. Cox, & K. Snow (Eds.), School readiness and the transition to kindergarten in the era of accountability (pp. 11- 30). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.

Kagan, S. L., Tarrant, K., Carson, A., & Kauerz, K. (2007). The early care and education workforce: At the fulcrum. Houston, TX: Cornerstones for Kids.

Kagan, S. L., & Weissbourd, B. (2007). Family support: A force for change. In J. L. Aber, S. J. Bishop-Josef, S. M. Jones, K. T. McLearn, & D. A. Phillips (Eds.), Child development and social policy: Knowledge for action (pp. 249-264).Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

2006

Kagan, S. L., & Kauerz, K. (2006). Making the most of kindergarten: Trends and policy issues. In D. Gullo (Ed.), Teaching and learning in the kindergarten year (pp. 161-170). Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Kagan, S. L., & Kauerz, K. (2006). Preschool programs: Effective curricula. In R. E. Tremblay, R. G. Barr, & R. DeV. Peters (Eds.), Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development [online]. Montreal, Quebec: Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development. Available: http://www.excellence-earlychil dhood.ca/documents/Kagan -KauerzANGxp.pdf .

Scott-Little, C., Kagan, S. L., & Frelow, V. (2006). Conceptualization of readiness and the content of early learning standards: The intersection of policy and research? Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 21, 153-173.

Scott-Little, C., Kagan, S. L., & Frelow, V. S. (2006). State standards for children's learning: What do they mean for child care providers? Child Care Information Exchange , 168 , 27-34.

2005

Kagan, S. L., & Lowenstein, A. (2005). Parenting education: Cultural accelerator or reflector? In L. Harrison & J. Kagan (Eds.), Developing cultures: Essays on cultural change . Oxford, UK: Routledge Press.

Kagan, S. L., Britto, P. R., Kauerz, K., & Tarrant, K. (2005). Washington State early learning and development benchmarks . Olympia, WA: Office of the Governor and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

2004

Kagan, S. L. (2004). A conversation with Sharon Lynn Kagan. In M. R. Jalongo & J. P. Isenberg (Eds.), Exploring your role: A practitioner's introduction to early childhood education . Columbus, OH: Merrill/Prentice Hall.

Kagan, S. L. (2004). Improving urban student achievement through early childhood reform: What state policymakers can do . Denver, CO: Education Commission of the States.

Kagan, S. L., & Lowenstein, A. E. (2004). School readiness and children's play: Contemporary oxymoron or compatible option? In E. F. Zigler, D. G. Singer, & S. J. Bishop-Josef (Eds.), Children's play: The roots of reading (pp. 59-76). Washington, DC: ZERO TO THREE Press.

Kagan, S. L., & Scott-Little, C. (2004). Early learning standards: Changing the parlance and practice of early childhood education. Phi Delta Kappan, 85(5), 388-396.

Fuller, B., Kagan, S., Loeb, S., & Chang, Y. (2004). Child care quality: Centers and home settings that serve poor families. Early Childhood Research Quarterly , 19, 505-527.

Loeb, S., Fuller, B., Kagan, S. L., Carrol, B., & Carroll, J. (2004). Child care in poor communities: Early learning effects of type, quality, and stability. Child Development , 75(1), 47-65.

2003

Kagan, S. L. (2003). Children’s readiness for school: Issues in assessment. International Journal of Early Childhood, 35(1 & 2), 114-120.

Kagan, S. L. (2003). Leadership in early care and education: Cinderella at the ball. Connections: The Journal of the California Association for the Education of Young Children, 32(1), 12-15.

Kagan, S. L., & Neuman, M. J. (2003). Back to basics: Building an early care and education system. In F. Jacobs, D. Wertlieb, & R. M. Lerner (Eds.), Handbook of applied developmental science: Vol. 2. Enhancing the life chances of youth and families. Contributions of programs, policies, and service systems (pp. 329-345) . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Kagan, S. L., & Neuman, M. J. (2003). Integrating early care and education. Educational Leadership, 60 (7), 58-64.

Kagan, S. L., Scott-Little, C., Frelow, V. S. (2003). Early learning standards for young children: A survey of the states. Young Children. 58(4), 58-76.

Clifford, R. M., Cochran, M., & Kagan, S. L. (2003). Challenges for early childhood education and care policy. In D. Cryer & R. M. Clifford (Eds.), Early childhood education and care in the USA (pp. 191-210). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.

2002

Kagan, S. L. (2002). Equal access to early learning. Washington, DC: The National Black Child Development Institute.

Kagan, S. L., & Hallmark, L. G. (2002). The pendulum of early childhood curriculum: A story of changing contexts and ideologies. In V. Sollars (Ed.), Curricula, policies and practices in early childhood education (pp. 12-22). Malta: Ministry of Education.

Kagan, S. L., Brandon, R. N., Ripple, C. H., Maher, E. J., & Joesch, J. (2002). Supporting quality early childhood care and education: Addressing compensation and infrastructure. Young Children, 57(3), 58-65.

Fuller, B., Kagan, S. L., Caspary, G., & Gauthier, C. (2002). Has welfare reform advanced child-care options for poor families? The Future of Children, 12(1), 97-119.

Fuller, B., Caspary, G., Kagan, S. L., Gauthier, C., Carroll, J., & McCarthy, J. (2002). Does maternal employment influence poor children's social development? Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 17(4), 470-497.

2001

Kagan, S. L., & Hallmark, L. G. (2001). Cultivating leadership in early care and education. Child Care Information Exchange, 140, 7-12.

Kagan, S. L., & Hallmark, L. G. (2001). Early care and education policies in Sweden: Implications for the United States. Phi Delta Kappan, 83(3), 237-254.

Holloway, S. D., Kagan, S. L., Fuller, B., Tsou, L., & Carroll, J. (2001). Assessing child care quality with a telephone interview. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 16(2), 165-189.

Peisner-Feinberg, E. S., Burchinal, M. R., Clifford, R. M., Culkin, M. L., Howes, C., Kagan, S. L., & Yazejian, N. (2001). The relationship of preschool child care quality to children’s cognitive and social developmental trajectories through second grade. Child Development, 72(5), 1534-1553.

2000

Kagan, S. L. (2000). Financing the field: From mistakes to high stakes. Tenth presidential essay. Young Children, 55(3), 4-5.

Kagan, S. L. (2000). Foreword. In M. L. Culkin (Ed.), Managing quality in young children's programs (pp. ix-xi). New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

Kagan, S. L. (2000). Making assessment count...What matters. Ninth presidential essay. Young Children, 55(2), 4-5.

Kagan, S. L. (2000). On beginning a new millennium. Eighth presidential essay. Young Children, 55(1), 4-5.

Kagan, S. L. (2000). On being president: Heart, head, and hands. Twelfth presidential essay. Young Children, 55(5), 4-5.

Kagan, S. L. (2000). What’s in a name? Eleventh presidential essay. Young Children, 55(4), 4.

2018-2020, Heising-Simons Foundation: [With Kathy Thornburg] To establish the study of early childhood policy in American institutions of higher education.

2017-2019, Maria Cecicilia Soutu Vidigal Foundation and Lemann Foundation: To support the implementation of early childhood programs in seven Brazilian cities.

2017- , Julie Fisher Cummings Early Childhood Education Policy Endowed Scholarship Fund: [With Jeanne Brooks-Gunn] To establish an endowment that will provide support for graduate students in perpetuity.

2017-2018, Buffett Early Childhood Fund: To examine the feasibility of establishing early childhood policy centers in American institutions of higher education.

2016-2021, Rauch Foundation: [With Jeanne Brooks-Gunn] To provide competitive post-doctoral fellowships for the ongoing development of new leaders in early childhood policy in New York City; practical research applicable to strengthening early childhood systems; and periodic research, support and/or advice by the National Center for Children and Families in support of improving New York State’s early childhood infrastructure.

2015-2018, National Center on Education and the Economy: To compare early childhood systems in six high-performing countries and render recommendations regarding how the United States can improve its services to young children and their families.

2015-2017, Foundation for Child Development: [With Jeanne Brooks-Gunn] To evaluate the impact of structure and auspices on New York City’s Pre-school for All program.

2015-2016, Foundation for Child Development: [With Catherine Scott-Little and Jeanne Reid] To review the literature and establish parameters for examining the cultural relevance of early learning and development standards.

2014-2015, State of New Hampshire: [With Catherine Scott-Little, Jeanne Reid] To review and analyze New Hampshire’s early learning and development standards.

2013-2015, Rauch Foundation: [With Jeanne Brooks-Gunn] To provide competitive post-doctoral fellowships for outstanding young scholars pursuing the application of research to public policies impacting young children and their families.

2014-2016, Marx Foundation: [With Jeanne Brooks–Gunn] To contribute to the overall improvement of NCCF’s national outreach efforts; to support 3 fellows annually for 2 years of study.

2013-2014, University of North Carolina/Heising-Simons Foundation: [With Catherine Scott-Little] To set the stage for common early learning and development standards among 10 selected states.

2013-2014, Build Third Sector: [With Catherine Scott-Little] To set the stage for common early learning and development standards among 10 selected states.

2013-2015, Inter-American Development Bank: To develop an institutional framework of early childhood development policies and programs in five countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

2013-2015, Rauch Foundation: [With Jeanne Brooks-Gunn] To provide competitive post-doctoral fellowships for outstanding young scholars pursuing the application of research to public policies impacting young children and their families.

2013-2014, State of Massachusetts: [With Catherine Scott-Little] To examine the alignment of the state’s early learning and development standards with assessments used in the State.

2013-2014, State of Georgia: [With Catherine Scott-Little] To establish the criteria for, and review, preschool curriculum proposals.

2013-2014, State of South Carolina: [With Catherine Scott-Little] To examine the quality and alignment of South Carolina’s early learning and development standards.

2013-2014, State of Ohio - Governor's Office: To review selected Ohio-based research studies to discern their generalizability for policy.

2011-2013, State of Pennsylvania: [With Catherine Scott-Little] To examine the alignment of the state’s early learning and development standards with required preschool and kindergarten curriculum.

2011-2013, State of Georgia: [With Catherine Scott-Little] To examine the alignment of the state’s early learning and development standards with required preschool and kindergarten curriculum.

2011-2013, State of Massachusetts: [With Catherine Scott-Little] To examine the alignment of the state’s early learning and development standards with the proposed assessments.

2011-2012, Heising-Simons Foundation: [With Catherine Scott-Little] To analyze the content of mathematics early learning standards in the United States.

2011-2012, UNICEF Macedonia: [With Pia Rebello-Britto] To analyze the nature and quality of teacher preparation programs in Macedonia.

2011-2012, Rauch Foundation: [With Jeanne Brooks-Gunn] To study the quality, accessibility, and diversity of services available to low-income young children and their families on Long Island.

2011-2012, Marx Family Foundation: [With Jeanne Brooks-Gunn] To provide an endowment for the National Center for Children and Families.

2010-2011, Neukom Family Foundation: [With Jeanne Brooks-Gunn] To support the promotion and dissemination of the research generated by the National Center for Children and Families.

2009-2011, State of Georgia: [With Catherine Scott-Little] To conduct a multi-stage analysis of Georgia's early learning and development standards for young children birth through grade three.

2009-2010, NYC Administration for Children's Services: [With Jeanne Brooks-Gunn] To assist in the Administration for Children’s Services Performance Measurement System.

2009-2010, Marx Family Foundation: [With Jeanne Brooks-Gunn] To provide an endowment for the National Center for Children and Families.

2009-2010, Neukom Family Foundation: [With Jeanne Brooks-Gunn] To support the promotion and dissemination of the research generated by the National Center for Children and Families.

2008-2009, United Way of Delaware: To assist Delaware in assessing their public policies for young children.

2008-2009, Bernard Van Leer Foundation: To develop a compendium on the history, development, uses, and challenges facing the global standards movement.

2008-2009, Kellogg Foundation: To advance transition and alignment efforts for young children.

2008-2009, National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC): To generate models of credentialing mechanisms that will promote quality in the early childhood workforce.

2008-2009, Neukom Family Foundation: [With Jeanne Brooks-Gunn] To support the promotion and dissemination of the research generated by the National Center for Children and Families.

2007-2009, Marx Family Foundation: [With Jeanne Brooks-Gunn] To provide an endowment for the National Center for Children and Families.

2007-2008, Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare: To assist Pennsylvania in the development of an early childhood accountability system.

2007-2008, Neukom Family Foundation: [With Jeanne Brooks-Gunn] To support the promotion and dissemination of the research generated by the National Center for Children and Families.

2007-2008, United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF: To expand the development, validation, and implementation of early learning standards in three additional regions: Africa, East Asia, and South America.

2007-2008, United Way of New York City: [With Jeanne Brooks-Gunn] To establish a common assessment process for all publicly funded early care and education programs in New York City.

2007-2008, Voices for Utah Children: To assist Utah in assessing their public policies for young children.

2006-2007, United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF: To develop, validate, and implement early learning standards in six countries.

2006-2007, Children’s Services Council of Florida: To assist Florida in assessing their public policies for young children.

2006-2007, West Virginia Kids Count: To assist West Virginia in assessing their public policies for young children.

2005-2007, Marx Family Foundation: [With Jeanne Brooks-Gunn] To provide an endowment for the National Center for Children and Families.

2005-2006, Cornerstones for Kids: To assess the state of the non-parental workforce that educates and cares for children under the age of five in the U.S.

2003-2005, Marx Family Foundation: [With Jeanne Brooks-Gunn] To provide an endowment for the National Center for Children and Families.

2003-2004, Washington State: To develop early learning standards for the state.

2003-2007, U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences : [With Jeanne Brooks-Gunn] To support implementation of a rigorous evaluation of Between the Lions.

2003-2004, Neukom Family Foundation: [With Jeanne Brooks-Gunn] To develop and implement a dissemination strategy for the National Center for Children and Families.

2003-2004, United Nations International Children's Fund: [With Jeanne Brooks-Gunn] To assist selected countries in developing early learning standards.

2002-2004, The Carnegie Corporation of New York: To assist selected states in determining the costs of an early care and education system.

2002-2004, The University of Mississippi: To assist Mississippi in determining the costs of an early care and education system.

2001-2006, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children, Youth and Families: [With Jeanne Brooks-Gunn] To implement and assess assessment-driven curriculum and instruction in Head Start programs.

2001-2003, David and Lucile Packard Foundation: [With Richard Brandon] To assist policymakers in determining the costs of an early care and education system via the development of policy tools.

2000-2001, A. T. Mailman Family Foundation: [With Richard Clifford] To assess the state of state assessments for young children's readiness for school.

1999-2001, The Carnegie Corporation of New York: [With Richard Brandon] To determine the infrastructure costs of the early care and education system, and to disseminate the model in two states.

1999-2001, William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund: To create policy briefs for the Connecticut legislature and policymakers by working collaboratively with leading organizations and individuals state-wide.

1999-2000, John T. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation: [With Bruce Fuller] To assess the feasibility of developing an integrated dissemination strategy involving the nation's major research studies on the impact of welfare reform on children and families.

1998-2000, A. T. Mailman Family Foundation: [With Richard Brandon] To work with selected states to develop and implement universal financing systems for early care and education.

1998-2000, Spencer Foundation: [With Bruce Fuller] To assess the magnitude of change in young children's home and non-parental learning environments as a result of welfare reform.

1997-2000, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation: [With Richard Brandon] To survey and report on states' approaches to financing early care and education.

1997-2000, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation: With Richard Brandon] To develop a financing model that will determine the resources necessary to finance state and federal systems of early care and education, given different parameters (e.g., utilization, service variations).

1997, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children, Youth, and Families, Child Care Bureau: [With Bruce Fuller] To determine the effects of welfare reform on children and parents, parental child care choices, and the supply and quality of child care providers.

1997-2000, U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement
[With Bruce Fuller] To assess the magnitude of change in young children's home and non-parental learning environments as a result of welfare reform.

1997-1998, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation: [With Bruce Fuller] To develop research instruments to assess children's accomplishments and maternal choices in selcting child care.

1996-1998, The Carnegie Corporation of New York: To disseminate and implement the Quality 2000 Initiative.

1996-1998, A.L. Mailman Family Foundation: To disseminate and implement the Quality 2000 Initiative.

1996-1999, U.S. Department of Education: [With Richard Clifford, Carolee Howes, and Mary Culkin] To examine the impact of child care on children's outcomes in first and second grades.

1995-1997, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation: To examine the funding and financing of the early care and education system.

1995-1997, A.L. Mailman Family Foundation: [With Barbara Bowman] To examine the theory and practice of leadership development in early childhood education.

1995-1997, W.K. Kellogg Foundation: To examine the desirability and feasibility of moving toward child-based results in early care and education.

1994-1999, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: [With Abt Associates] To examine the effects of American family support programs on children, families, institutions, and communities.

1993-1996, W.T. Grant Foundation: [With Richard Clifford, Carollee Howes, and Suzanne Helburn] To examine the relationship between child outcomes and the cost and quality of American child care.

1993-1994, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation: [With Stacie Goffin] To examine early childhood systems reform and service integration efforts in four states.

1992-1996, The Carnegie Corporation of New York: To examine the challenges and strategies associated with implementing quality early care and education services by the year 2000.

1992-1995, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: To examine the impact of a family education and training program on Head Start children and their mothers.

1992-1994, The Carnegie Corporation of New York, Pew Charitable Trusts, Smith Richardson Foundation, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation: [With Suzanne Helburn, Richard Clifford, and Carollee Howes] To examine the cost, quality, and outcomes of American child care.

1992-1994, A.L. Mailman Family Foundation: [With Bernice Weissbourd] To examine the current context of family support in America.

1991-1996, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: [With Mathtech, National Center for Children in Poverty, National Governors Association, and Iowa Child & Family Policy Center] To establish a center to investigate and disseminate information on service integration.

1990-1995, U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement, Center on Families, Communities, Schools and Children's Learning: To develop and analyze the effects of a training/parenting/job training program on low-income mothers and their preschool children.

1990-1992, The Carnegie Corporation of New York: To examine the context, process, and outcomes of collaborations in early care and education.

1990-1991, The Rockefeller Brothers Foundation: To assess discontinuities in America's training delivery system for family day care, center-based, and early childhood teachers and providers.

1990-1991, The Carnegie Corporation of New York: To conduct a national telephone survey of effective collaborations in early care and education.

1989-1990, A.L. Mailman Family Foundation: To review the literature on coordination, cooperation, and collaboration in business, industry, and education, including special education and early childhood education.

1983-1988, Rosenberg Foundation: [With James Newton] To compare quality in profit and non-profit child care centers.

1981-1983, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children, Youth, and Families: [With Edward Zigler] To provide national training and research fellowships for minority scholars in child development and social policy.

1978-1988, The Bush Foundation: [With Edward Zigler] To establish a national network of four training/research centers in child development and social policy; to establish and sustain a training/research center in child development and social policy at Yale University.

Honorary Degrees and Major Awards
  • May 2010 - Visionary Leadership Award, McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership, National-Louis University, Wheeling, IL
  • March, 2010 - Fellow of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), Washington, D.C.

  • September, 2005 - The Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education, The McGraw Hill Companies, New York, NY

  • July, 2005 - James Bryant Conant Award, Education Commission of the States, Denver, CO
  • June, 2005 - Distinguished Service Award, Connecticut Early Childhood Education Council, New Haven, Connecticut

  • November, 2004 - 2004 Distinguished Service Award, Council of Chief State School Officers, Washington, D.C.
  • June, 2005 - Distinguished Service Award, Connecticut Early Childhood Education Council, New Haven, Connecticut

  • March, 2003 - Outstanding Women of Connecticut Award, The Ruth Steinkraus-Cohen Memorial, Hartford, CT

  • March, 1996 - Distinguished Alumna Award, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY
  • March, 1996 - National Friend of Children Public Policy Award, Southern Early Childhood Association, Little Rock, AR

  • May, 1992 - Ed.D. Honorary Degree, Wheelock College, Boston, MA


Volumes and Editorships

In press

Kagan, S. L., & Kauerz, K. (in press). Building Early Childhood Systems. New York: Teachers College Press.

Kagan, S. L., & Tarrant, K. (in press). Transitions in the Early Years: Creating a System of Continuity. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing.

2008

Kagan, S.L., Kauerz, K., Tarrant, K. (2008). The early care and education teaching workforce at the fulcrum: An agenda for reform. New York : Teachers College Press.

2005

Kagan, S. L., & Stewart, V. (Eds.). (2005). A new world view: Learning from education in other countries [Special issue]. Phi Delta Kappan.

2004

Kagan, S. L., & Stewart, V. (Eds.). (2004). Putting the “World” in “World-Class Education” [Special issue]. Phi Delta Kappan, 83(3).

1997

Kagan, S. L., & Bowman, B. T. (Eds.). (1997). Leadership in early care and education . Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Kagan, S. L., & Cohen, N. E. (1997). Not by chance: Creating an early care and education system . New Haven: Yale University Bush Center in Child Development and Social Policy.

1996

Kagan, S. L., & Cohen, N. E. (Eds.). (1996). Reinventing early care and education: A vision for a quality system. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Zigler, E., Kagan, S. L., & Hall, N. (Eds.). (1996). Children, families, and government: Preparing for the 21st century . New York: Cambridge University Press.

1995

Kagan, S. L., Goffin, S. G., Golub, S. A., & Pritchard, E. (1995). Toward systemic reform: Service integration for young children and their families . Falls Church, VA: National Center for Service Integration.

1994

Kagan, S. L. (Ed.). (1994). Early care and education: Coming of age [Special issue]. Phi Delta Kappan , 76(3).

Kagan, S. L., & Weissbourd, B. (Eds.). (1994). Putting families first: America's family support movement and the challenge of change . San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

1993

Kagan, S. L. (with Neville, P. R.). (1993). Integrating services for children and families: Understanding the past to shape the future . New Haven: Yale University Press.

1991

Kagan, S. L. (Ed.). (1991). The care and education of America's young children: Obstacles and opportunities. National Society for the Study of Education, 90th Yearbook . Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Kagan, S. L. (1991). United we stand: Collaboration for child care and early education services. New York: Teachers College Press.

Kagan, S. L., & Garcia, E. (Eds.). (1991). Educating linguistically and culturally diverse preschoolers [Special issue]. Early Childhood Research Quarterly , 6(3).

1989

Kagan, S. L. (Ed.). (1989). Early care and education: Reflecting on options and opportunities [Special issue]. Phi Delta Kappan , 71(2).

1987

Kagan, S. L., Powell, D., Weissbourd, B., & Zigler, E. (Eds.). (1987). America's family support programs: Perspectives and prospects . New Haven: Yale University Press.

Kagan, S. L., & Zigler, E. F. (Eds.). (1987). Early schooling: The national debate . New Haven: Yale University Press.

1983

Zigler, E., Kagan, S. L., & Klugman, E. (Eds.). (1983). Children, families and government: Perspectives on American social policy . New York: Cambridge


Articles, Chapters, and Commissioned Papers 

2009

Kagan, S.L, Scott-Little, C., & Frelow V.S. (2009). Linking play to early learning and Development guidelines: Possibility or polemic? Zero to Three, 30(1), 18-24.

Kagan, S.L., & Reid, J. (2009). Invest in early childhood education. Phi Delta Kappan, 90(8), 572-576.

Kagan, S. L., & Reid, J. (2009). ECE2: A call for excellence, coherence, and equity in federal early childhood education policy. Washington DC: Center on Education Policy.

Kagan, S.L., Scott-Little, C., Frelow, V. S., & Reid, J. (2009). Infant-Toddler Learning Guidelines: The content states have addressed and implications for programs serving children with disabilities. Infants and Young Children, 22(2), 87-99.

2008

Kagan, S. L., Brooks-Gunn, J., Westheimer, M., Tarrant, K., Cortazar, A., Johnson, A., Philipsen, N., & Pressman, A. (2008). New York City early care and education unified performance measurement system: A pilot study. New York: National Center for Children and Families.

Kagan, S. L., & Kauerz, K., (2008). Governing American early care and education: Shifting from government to governance and from form to function. In S. Feeney A. Galper, & C. Seefeldt (Eds.), Continuing issues in early childhood education (3rd ed., pp. 12-32). Columbus, OH: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.

Kagan, S. L., Scott-Little, C., Reid, J., & Greenberg, E. (2008). Pennsylvania’s early learning standards alignment studies: Proposed alignment analysis protocol. New York: National Center for Children and Families.

Kagan, S. L., Scott-Little, C., Reid, J., & Greenberg, E. (2008). Pennsylvania’s early learning standards alignment studies: A working memo on short-term vertical alignment data analyses and observations. New York: National Center for Children and Families.

Scott-Little, C., Kagan, S. L., Frelow, V. S., & Reid, J. (2008). Inside the content of infant-toddler early learning guidelines: Results from analyses, issues to consider, and recommendations. Greensboro, NC: University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Tarrant, K., Greenberg, E. H., Kagan, S. L., & Kauerz, K. (2008). The early childhood workforce. In S. Feeney (Ed.), Continuing issues in early childhood education (3rd ed., pp. 134-157). Columbus, OH: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.

2007

Kagan, S. L., & Kauerz, K. (2007). Reaching for the whole: Integration and alignment in early education policy. In R. C. Pianta, M. J. Cox, & K. Snow (Eds.), School readiness and the transition to kindergarten in the era of accountability (pp. 11- 30). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.

Kagan, S. L., Tarrant, K., Carson, A., & Kauerz, K. (2007). The early care and education workforce: At the fulcrum. Houston, TX: Cornerstones for Kids.

Kagan, S. L., & Weissbourd, B. (2007). Family support: A force for change. In J. L. Aber, S. J. Bishop-Josef, S. M. Jones, K. T. McLearn, & D. A. Phillips (Eds.), Child development and social policy: Knowledge for action (pp. 249-264).Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

2006

Kagan, S. L. (2006). American early childhood education: Preventing or perpetuating inequity? (Research Review No. 1). New York: Teachers College, Campaign for Educational Equity.

Kagan, S. L., Carroll, J., Comer, J., & Scott-Little, C. (2006). Alignment: A missing link in early childhood transitions? Young Children , 61 (5), 26-32.

Kagan, S. L., & Kauerz, K. (2006). Making the most of kindergarten: Trends and policy issues. In D. Gullo (Ed.), Teaching and learning in the kindergarten year (pp. 161-170). Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Kagan, S. L., & Kauerz, K. (2006). Preschool programs: Effective curricula. In R. E. Tremblay, R. G. Barr, & R. DeV. Peters (Eds.), Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development [online]. Montreal, Quebec: Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development. Available: http://www.excellence-earlychil dhood.ca/documents/Kagan -KauerzANGxp.pdf .

Scott-Little, C., Kagan, S. L., & Frelow, V. (2006). Conceptualization of readiness and the content of early learning standards: The intersection of policy and research? Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 21, 153-173.

Scott-Little, C., Kagan, S. L., & Frelow, V. S. (2006). State standards for children's learning: What do they mean for child care providers? Child Care Information Exchange , 168 , 27-34.

2005

Kagan, S. L., & Lowenstein, A. (2005). Parenting education: Cultural accelerator or reflector? In L. Harrison & J. Kagan (Eds.), Developing cultures: Essays on cultural change . Oxford, UK: Routledge Press.

Kagan, S. L., & Britto, P. R. (2005). Going global with indicators of child development. UNICEF Final Report. New York, NY: UNICEF.

Kagan, S. L., Britto, P. R., Kauerz, K., & Tarrant, K. (2005). Washington State early learning and development benchmarks . Olympia, WA: Office of the Governor and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Scott-Little, C., Kagan, S. L., & Frelow, V. S. (2005). Inside the content: The breadth and depth of early learning standards. Creating the conditions for success with early learning standards . Greensboro, NC: University of North Carolina, SERVE.

2004

Kagan, S. L. (2004). A conversation with Sharon Lynn Kagan. In M. R. Jalongo & J. P. Isenberg (Eds.), Exploring your role: A practitioner's introduction to early childhood education . Columbus, OH: Merrill/Prentice Hall.

Kagan, S. L. (2004). Improving urban student achievement through early childhood reform: What state policymakers can do . Denver, CO: Education Commission of the States.

Kagan, S. L., & Lowenstein, A. E. (2004). School readiness and children's play: Contemporary oxymoron or compatible option? In E. F. Zigler, D. G. Singer, & S. J. Bishop-Josef (Eds.), Children's play: The roots of reading (pp. 59-76). Washington, DC: ZERO TO THREE Press.

Kagan, S. L., & Scott-Little, C. (2004). Early learning standards: Changing the parlance and practice of early childhood education. Phi Delta Kappan, 85(5), 388-396.

Britto, P. R., & Kagan, S. L. (2004). Going global with indicators of child well-being: using the standards approach. UNICEF Technical Report. New York, NY: UNICEF.

Carroll, J., Ochshorn, S., Kagan, S. L., & Fuller, B. (2004). Effective investments in early care and education: What can we learn from research? (Child Care and Early Education Research and Policy Series Report No. 1). Denver, CO: National Conference of State Legislatures.

Fuller, B., Kagan, S., Loeb, S., & Chang, Y. (2004). Child care quality: Centers and home settings that serve poor families. Early Childhood Research Quarterly , 19, 505-527.

Loeb, S., Fuller, B., Kagan, S. L., Carrol, B., & Carroll, J. (2004). Child care in poor communities: Early learning effects of type, quality, and stability. Child Development , 75(1), 47-65.

Lowenstein, A. E., Ochshorn, S., Kagan, S. L., & Fuller, B. (2004). T he effects of professional development efforts and compensation on quality of early care and education services . (Child Care and Early Education Research and Policy Series Report No. 2). Denver, CO: National Conference of State Legislatures.

Ochshorn, S., Kagan, S. L, Carroll, J., Lowenstein, A. E., & Fuller, B. (2004). The effects of regulation on the quality of early care and education (Child Care and Early Education Research and Policy Series Report No. 3).Denver, CO: National Conference of State Legislatures.

Rigby, E., Kagan, S. L., Ochshorn, S., & Fuller, B. (2004). I nfant and toddler care: Meeting the needs of families with options that work . (Child Care and Early Education Research and Policy Series Report No. 4). Denver, CO: National Conference of State Legislatures.

2003

Kagan, S.L. (2003). Advancing child abuse and neglect protective factors: The Role of the early care and education infrastructure . Center for the Study of Social Policy.

Kagan, S. L., & Neuman, M. J. (2003). Back to basics: Building an early care and education system. In F. Jacobs, D. Wertlieb, & R. M. Lerner (Eds.), Handbook of applied developmental science: Vol. 2. Enhancing the life chances of youth and families. Contributions of programs, policies, and service systems (pp. 329-345) . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Kagan, S. L., & Neuman, M. J. (2003). Integrating early care and education. Educational Leadership, 60 (7), 58-64.

Kagan, S. L., & Rigby, E. (2003). Policy matters: Setting and measuring benchmarks for state policies . Washington, DC: Center for the Study of Social Policy.

Kagan, S. L., & Rigby, E. (2003). State policies that work: A series of policy briefs from the Policy Matters project . Washington, DC: Center for the Study of Social Policy.

Kagan, S. L., Scott-Little, C., Frelow, V. S. (2003). Early learning standards for young children: A survey of the states. Young Children. 58(4), 58-76.

Scott-Little, C., Kagan, S. L., Clifford, R. M. (2003). Assessing the state of state assessments: Perspectives on assessing young children . Greensboro, North Carolina: University of North Carolina, SERVE.

Scott-Little, C., Kagan, S. L., Frelow, V. S. (2003). Standards for preschool children's learning and development: Who has the standards, how were they developed, and how were they used? Greensboro, North Carolina: University of North Carolina, SERVE.

2002

Kagan, S. L. (2002). Equal access to early learning . Washington, DC: The National Black Child Development Institute.

Kagan, S. L. (2002). Financing early care and education. Equal access to early learning . Washington, DC: The National Black Child Development Institute.

Kagan, S. L., Brandon, R. N., Ripple, C. H., Maher, E. J., & Joesch, J. (2002). Supporting quality early childhood care and education: Addressing compensation and infrastructure. Young Children , 57 (3), 58-65.

Kagan, S. L., & Hallmark, L. G. (2002). The pendulum of early childhood curriculum: A story of changing contexts and ideologies. In V. Sollars (Ed.), Curricula, policies and practices in early childhood education (pp. 12-22). Malta: Ministry of Education.

Clifford, R. M., Kagan, S. L., Cochran, M., & Fu, V. (2002). Challenges for early childhood education and care policy. In D. Cryer (Ed.), Early childhood education and care in the USA: Policy and state of the art at the millennium . Washington, DC: Government Printing Office.

Fuller, B., Caspary, G., Kagan, S. L., Gauthier, C., Carroll, J., & McCarthy, J. (2002). Does maternal employment influence poor children's social development? Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 17 (4), 470-497.

Fuller, B., Kagan, S. L., Caspary, G., & Gauthier, C. (2002). Has welfare reform advanced child-care options for poor families? The Future of Children , 12 (1), 97-119.

2001

Kagan, S. L. (2001). Back to basics: Essential components of an American early care and education system . Albany, NY: New York State Department of Education.

Kagan, S. L. (2001). Giving America's young children a better start: A change brief . Denver, CO: Education Commission of the States.

Kagan, S. L., & Hallmark, L. G. (2001). Cultivating leadership in early care and education. Child Care Information Exchange , 140 , 7-12.

Kagan, S. L., & Hallmark, L. G. (2001). Early care and education policies in Sweden: Implications for the United States. Phi Delta Kappan , 83 (3), 237-254.

Kagan, S. L., & Hallmark, L. G. (2001). Facing Janus: Leadership in early care and education. State Education Leader , 19 (2), 5-6.

Fuller, B., Chang, Y.-W., Suzuki, S., & Kagan, S. L. (2001, August). Child-care aid and quality for California families: Focusing on San Francisco and Santa Clara counties ( PACE Working Paper 01-2). Berkeley: PACE.

Holloway, S. D., Kagan, S. L., Fuller, B., Tsou, L., & Carroll, J. (2001). Assessing child care quality with a telephone interview. Early Childhood Research Quarterly , (16), 165-189.

P eisner-Feinberg, E. S., Burchinal, M. R., Clifford, R. M., Culkin, M. L., Howes, C., Kagan, S. L., et al. (2001). The relationship of preschool child care quality to children's cognitive and social developmental trajectories through second grade. Child Development, 72 (5), 1534-1553.

2000

Kagan, S. L. (2000). Financing the field: From mistakes to high stakes. Tenth presidential essay. Young Children , 55 (3), 4-5.

Kagan, S. L. (2000). Foreward. In M. L. Culkin (Ed.), Managing quality in young children's programs (pp. ix-xi). New York: Teachers College Press.

Kagan, S. L. (2000). Making assessment count...what matters. Ninth presidential essay. Young Children , 55 (2), 4-5.

Kagan, S. L. (2000). On beginning a new millennium. Eighth presidential essay. Young Children , 55 (1), 4-5.

Kagan, S. L. (2000). On being president: Heart, head, and hands. Twelfth presidential essay. Young Children , 55 (5), 4-5.

Kagan, S. L. (2000). What's in a name? Eleventh presidential essay. Young Children , 55 (4), 4.

Kagan, S. L., & McLearn, K. T. (2000). Supporting infants and toddlers: The nascent policy agenda. In D. Cryer & T. Harms (Eds.), Infants and toddler in out-of-home care (pp. 296-308). Baltimore: Paul Brookes Publishing Company.

Kagan, S. L. & Neuman, M. J. (2000). Early care and education: Current issues and future strategies. In S. J. Meisels & J. P. Shonkoff (Eds.), Handbook of early childhood intervention (pp. 339-360). New York: Cambridge University Press.

Kagan, S. L., Verzaro-O'Brien, M., Kim, U., & Formica, M. (2000). Head Start-Child Care partnership study . New Haven: Yale University Bush Center in Child Development and Social Policy.

Brandon, R. N., Kagan, S. L., & Joesch, J. M. (2000). Design choices: Universal financing for early care and education . Seattle, WA: Human Services Policy Center.

Fuller, B. & Kagan, S. L. (2000). Remember the children: Mothers balance work under welfare reform. Growing up in poverty project, Wave 1 findings— California, Connecticut, Florida. Berkeley, California: University of California.

Mensing, J., French, D., Fuller, B., & Kagan, S. L. (2000). Child care selection under welfare reform: How mothers balance work requirements and parenting. Early Education and Development , 11 (5), 573-595.

1999

Kagan, S. L. (1999). A5: Redefining 21st-century early care and education. Seventh presidential essay. Young Children , 54 (6), 2-3.

Kagan, S. L. (1999). Cracking the readiness mystique. Sixth presidential essay. Young Children , 54 (5), 2-3.

Kagan, S. L. (1999). Early childhood education and care policy in Sweden . Paris, France: Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Kagan, S. L. (1999). Going beyond “z.” Third presidential essay. Young Children , 54 (2), 2.

Kagan, S. L. (1999). On leadership in the coming era. Fifth presidential essay. Young Children , 54 (4), 2-3.

Kagan, S. L. (1999). Painting a new “think:” An early care and education system? Fourth presidential essay. Young Children , 54 (3), 2.

Kagan, S. L. (1999). The more things change, the more they stay the same: Fact or fiction? Second presidential essay. Young Children , 54 (1), 2.

Kagan, S. L., & Wechsler, S. (1999). Changing realities: Changing research. In S. Reifel (Ed.), Advances in early education and day care (pp. 41-67). Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.

Kim, U., & Kagan, S. L. (1999). Stepping back and looking forward: Thinking about assessment for young children. Instructional Leader , XII (5), 1-5.

Peisner-Feinberg, E. S., Burchinal, M. R., Clifford, R. M., Culkin, M. L., Howes, C., Kagan, S. L., Yazejian, N., Byler, P., Rustici, J., & Zelazo, J. (1999). The children of the cost, quality, and outcomes study go to school . Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center.

1998

Kagan, S. L. (1998). Using a theory of change approach in a national evaluation of family support programs. In K. Fulbright-Anderson, A. C. Kubisch, & J. P. Connell (Eds.), New approaches to evaluating community initiatives: (Vol. 2). Theory, measurement, and analysis (pp. 113-121). Washington, DC: Aspen Institute Roundtable.

Kagan, S. L., & Neuman, M. J. (1998). Three decades of transition research: What does it tell us? Elementary School Journal: Special Issue on Transitions , 98 (4), 365-380.

Shepard, L. A., Kagan, S. L., & Wurtz, E. O. (1998). Goal 1 early childhood assessment resource group recommendations. Young Children , 53 (3), 52-54.

Shepard, L. A., Kagan, S. L., & Wurtz, E. O. (1998). Principles and recommendations for early childhood assessments . Washington, DC: National Education Goals Panel.

Shepard, L. A., Taylor, G. A., & Kagan, S. L. (1998). Trends in early childhood assessment policies and practices . Washington, DC: National Education Goals Panel.

1997

Kagan, S. L. (1997). Support systems for children, youths, families, and schools in inner-city situations. Education and Urban Society , 29 (3), 277-295.

Kagan, S. L., & Bowman, B. T. (1997). Leadership in early care and education: Issues and challenges. In S. L. Kagan & B. T. Bowman (Eds.), Leadership in early care and education (pp. 3-8). Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Kagan, S. L., & Cohen, N. E. (1997). Not by chance: Creating an early care and education system for America's children [Abridged version] . New Haven: Yale University Bush Center in Child Development and Social Policy. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 417 027)

Kagan, S. L., & Neuman, M. J. (1997). Conceptual leadership. In S. L. Kagan & B. T. Bowman (Eds.), Leadership in early care and education (pp. 59-64). Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Kagan, S. L., & Neuman, M. J. (1997). Defining and implementing school readiness: Challenges for families, early care and education, and schools. In R. P. Weissberg, T. P. Gullotta, R. L. Hampton, B. A. Ryan, & G. R. Adams (Eds.), Healthy children 2010: Establishing preventative services (pp. 61-96). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishers.

Kagan, S. L., Rosenkoetter, S., & Cohen, N. E. (Eds.). (1997). Considering child-based results for young children: Definitions, desirability, feasibility, and next steps . New Haven: Yale University Bush Center in Child Development and Social Policy. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 414 997)

Bowman, B. T., & Kagan, S. L. (1997). Moving the leadership agenda. In S. L. Kagan & B. T. Bowman (Eds.), Leadership in early care and education (pp. 155-160). Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Cohen, N. E., & Kagan, S. L. (Eds.). (1997). Funding and financing early care and education: A review of issues and strategies . New Haven: YaleUniversity Bush Center in Child Development and Social Policy.1996

Kagan, S. L. (1996). America's family support movement: A moment of change. In E. Zigler, S. L. Kagan, & N. Hall (Eds.), Children, families, and government: Preparing for the 21st century (pp. 156-170). New York: Cambridge University Press.

Kagan, S. L. (1996). Human development: Research and social policy. International Encyclopedia of Education (pp. 59-62). Oxford, England: Pergamon Press.

Kagan, S. L., & Cohen, N. E. (1996). A vision for a quality early care and education system: Quality programs and a quality infrastructure. In S. L. Kagan & N. E. Cohen (Eds.), Reinventing early care and education (pp. 309-332). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Kagan, S. L., Cohen, N. E., & Neuman, M. J. (1996). The changing context of American early care and education. In S. L. Kagan & N. E. Cohen (Eds.), Reinventing early care and education: A vision for a quality system (pp. 1-18). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Kagan, S. L., Cohen, N. E., Hailey, L., Pritchard, E., & Colen, H. (1996). Toward a new understanding of family support: A review of programs and a suggested typology . Cambridge, MA: Abt Associates.

Kagan, S. L., & Neuman, M. J. (1996, Spring). Family support: Program, philosophy, approach, or movement? Early Childhood Update , 1 (4).

Kagan, S. L., & Neuman, M. J. (1996, January). The relationship between staff education and training and quality in child care programs. Child Care Information Exchange , 65-70.

Kagan, S. L., & Neville, P. R. (1996). Combining endogenous and exogenous factors in the shift years: The transition to school. In A. Samaroff & M. Haith (Eds.), The five to seven year shift: The age of reason and responsibility . (pp. 387- 405). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Kagan, S. L., & Pritchard, E. (1996). Linking services for children and families: Past legacy, future possibilities. In E. Zigler, S. L. Kagan, & N. Hall (Eds.), Children, families, and government: Preparing for the 21st century (pp.378-393). New York: Cambridge University Press.

Cohen, N. E., & Kagan, S. L. (1996). Getting from here to there: The process andthe players for realizing a quality early care and education system. In S. L.Kagan & N. E. Cohen (Eds.), Reinventing early care and education: A vision for a quality system (pp. 333-347). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

1995

Cost, Quality, & Child Outcomes Study Team. (1995). Cost, quality and child outcomes in child care centers: Executive summary. Young Children , 50 (4), 40-44.

Kagan, S. L. (1995). By the bucket: Achieving results for young children. Washington, DC: National Governors Association.

Kagan, S. L. (1995). Educational reform: Impertinent issues and pertinent questions. Voices from the field: What new governors need to know about education reform . Washington, DC: National Governors Association.

Kagan, S. L. (1995). Normalizing preschool education: The illusive imperative. In H. Passow (Ed.), The National Society for the Study of Education, 95th Yearbook (pp. 84-101). Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.

Kagan, S. L., Moore, E., & Bredekamp, S. (Eds.). (1995). Reconsidering children's early development and learning: Toward shared beliefs and vocabulary . Washington, DC: National Education Goals Panel.

1994

Kagan, S. L. (1994). Defining and achieving quality in family support. In S. L. Kagan & B. Weissbourd (Eds.), Putting families first: America's family support movement and the challenge of change (pp. 375-400). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Kagan, S. L. (1994). Defining the early childhood field collaborative . Columbus, OH: Ohio Early Childhood Special Education Consortium.

Kagan, S. L. (1994). Early care and education: Beyond the fishbowl. Phi Delta Kappan , 76 (1), 184-187.

Kagan, S. L. (1994). Leadership: Rethinking it—making it happen. Young Children , 49 (5), 50-54.

Reprinted. (1994). Background readings: Third Annual Conference of NAEYC National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development . Chicago, IL.

Kagan, S. L. (1994). Readying schools for young children: Polemics and priorities. Phi Delta Kappan , 76 (1), 226-233.

Reprinted in Japanese. (1997). Warnings against early formal education . Tokyo, Japan: Soshin Publishers.

Kagan, S. L., & Neville, P. R. (1994). Family support and school-linked services. Family Resource Coalition Report , 12 (3&4), 4-6.

Kagan, S. L., & Weissbourd, B. (1994). Toward a new normative system of family support. In S. L. Kagan & B. Weissbourd (Eds.), Putting families first: America's family support movement and the challenge of change (pp. 473-490). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

1993

Kagan, S. L. (1993). Entitlement in early care and education: A tale of two rights. In M. A. Jensen & S. Goffin (Eds.), Visions of entitlement: The care and education of young children (pp. 3-30). Albany, NY: SUNY Press.

Kagan, S. L. (1993). The research-to-policy connection: Moving beyond incrementalism. In B. Spodek (Ed.), The handbook of research on the education of young children (pp. 506-5l8). New York: MacMillan Publishing Company.

Kagan, S. L., & The Essential Functions and Change Strategies Task Force (1993). The essential functions of the early care and education system: Rationale and definition . New Haven: Yale University Bush Center in Child Development and Social Policy.

Reprinted. (1995). Champaign, IL: ERIC Clearinghouse.

Kagan, S. L., & Neville, P. R. (1993). Parent choice in early care and education: Myth or reality . White Plains, NY: The A. L. Mailman Family Foundation.

Reprinted. (1994). Zero to Three: National Center for Clinical Infant Programs , 14 (4), 11-17.

Reprinted. (1993). Champaign, IL: ERIC Clearinghouse.

1992

Kagan, S.L. (1992). Birthing collaborations in early care and education: A polemic of pain and promise. In D. Steglin (Ed.), Early childhood education: Policy issues for the 1990's (pp. 31-49). Norwood, NJ: Ablex Publishing.

Kagan, S. L. (1992). Collaborating to meet the readiness agenda: Dimensions and dilemmas. Ensuring student success through collaboration . Washington, DC: The Council of Chief State School Officers.

Kagan, S. L. (1992). Head Start, families and schools: Creating transitions that work. National Head Start Association Journal , 10 (3), 40-43.

Kagan, S. L. (1992). Implementing programs and policies for young children and their families: Who is responsible? In E. Johnson & K. Borman (Eds.), Effective schooling for economically disadvantaged students: School-based strategies for diverse student populations (pp. 29-47). Norwood, NJ: Ablex Publishing.

Kagan, S. L. (1992). The readiness goal. The GAO Journal , 16 , 12-18.

Kagan, S. L. (1992). Readiness past, present, and future: Shaping the agenda. Young Children , 48 (1), 48-53.

Kagan, S. L. (1992). Ready or not: Collaboration is fulcrum on which the readiness goal rests. The School Administrator , 49 (5), 14-18.

Kagan, S. L. (1992). Young children and education…First, at last. Elementary School Principal , 71 (5), 6-8.

Reprinted. (1993). The Kansas School Board Journa l. Topeka, KS: Kansas Association of School Boards.

Kagan, S. L., Costley, J., Landesman, L., Marx, F., Neville, P. R., Parker, S., & Rustici, J. (1992). Family education and training: Obstacles, opportunities, and outcomes for low-income mothers (Center Report No. 4). Baltimore: Center on Families, Communities, Schools and Children's Learning.

Kagan, S. L. & Lonow, D. (1992). Prekindergarten: School-based programs. In L. Williams & D. Fromberg (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Early Childhood Education (pp. 135-136). New York: Garland Publishing, Inc.

Kagan, S. L., Rivera, A. M., Brigham, N., & Rosenblum, S. (1992). Collaboration: Cornerstone of an early childhood system . New Haven: Yale University Bush Center in Child Development and Social Policy.

Levy, J., Kagan, S. L., & Copple, C. (1992). Are we ready? Collaboration to support young children and their families . Washington, DC: American Public Welfare Association and Council of Chief State School Officers.

1990

Kagan, S.L. (1990) Readiness 2000: Rethingking rhetoric and responsibility. Phi Delta Kappan, 72 (4), 272-289.

Current Professional Employment

Virginia and Leonard Marx Professor
of Early Childhood and Family Policy [September, 2000 - Present]
Teachers College, Columbia University New York, NY

Co-Director, National Center for Children and Families [September, 2000 - Present]

Professor Adjunct [July, 2001 - Present]
The Yale Child Study Center
Yale University, New Haven, CT


Past Professional Experience

Associate Dean for Policy [January, 2004 - August, 2009]
Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY.

Director of the Office of Policy and Research [January, 2004 - August, 2009]
Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY.

Senior Research Scientist [April, 1996 - June, 2001]
The Yale Child Study Center
Yale University, New Haven, CT

Senior Associate [July, 1991 - August, 2000]
Associate Director [March, 1978 - June, 1991]
The Bush Center in Child Development and Social Policy
Yale University, New Haven, CT

Associate Research Scientist [July, 1987 - March, 1996]
Assistant Professor [July, 1980 - June, 1987]
The Yale Child Study Center
Yale University, New Haven, CT

Executive Director [November, 1986 - January, 1988]*
The Office of Early Childhood Education
The Office of the Mayor, New York, NY
Early Childhood Supervisor [September, 1974 - August, 1978]

Head Start Director [March, 1971 - September, 1974]
Board of Education, Norwalk, CT

ESEA Title I Coordinator [September, 1969 - September, 1970]
Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, Baltimore, MD

Program Director [September, 1968 - September, 1969]
Inner-city Tutorial Program, Social Relations Department
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

Head Start/Early Childhood Teacher [July, 1965 - June, 1968]
Baltimore County, MD, North Haven, CT, New Haven, CT

* While on leave from Yale

Current Professional Activities (2002-2003)

  • Distinguished Senior Fellow, Education Commission for the States.
  • Trustee, Wheelock College.
  • Member, Editorial Advisory Board, Yearbook on Farly Childhood Fducation, Teachers College Press.
  • Member, Editorial Advisory Board, Family, Community, & Disability Series, Paul Brookes Publishing Company.
  • Member, Consulting Editorial Board, NHSA Dialog, National Head Start Association, Washington, DC.
  • Member, National Institute for Early Education Research Advisory Board.
  • Member, High/Scope Educational Research Foundation Ready Schools Advisory Board.
  • Member, National Center for Family Literacy Advisory Board.
  • Member, Nova University, Family and School Center Advisory Committee. Mmberr, Bright Horizons Advisory Board.
  • Member, Nickelodeon Jr. Advisory Board.
    Member, Parents Magazine Advisory Board.
  • Consultant, Advisory Committee Member, Journal of Early Childhood Research.
  • Consultant, Sisters of Charity, Canton, OH.
  • Consultant, U.S. Department of Education.
  • Consultant, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
  • Consultant, Center for the Study of Social Policy.
  • Consultant, National Conference of State Legislatures.

Past Professional Activities
International and National

  • Past-President, National Association for the Education of Young Children, 1999-2000.
  • Co-Chair, National Education Goals Panel, Readiness Assessment Panel, 1992-2000.
  • Co-Chair, National Education Goals Panel, Ready Schools Panel, 1996-2000.
  • Congressionally Appointed Member, National Educational Research, Policy, and Priorities Board, U.S. Department of Education, 1994-2000.
  • Member, Advisory Panel to the Center for Psychology in Schools and Education, American Psychological Association, 1999-2001.
  • Member, Committee on Early Childhood Pedagogy, National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council, 1998-2000.
  • Member, Committee on Title I Testing, National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council, 1997-1999.
  • U.S. Representative to Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (Paris), International Review Panel of Sweden's Child and Family Policy, 1999.
  • Member, Advisory Board, Inner City-Inner Child, Washington, DC, 1995-2001.
  • Member, Investing in Student Achievement Advisory Panel, Education Commission of the States, 1998-1999.
  • Member, Institute for Education and Training, Advisory Board, Rand Institute, 1996-1999.
  • Member, Quality Enhancement Project Advisory Board, Center for Applied Child Development, Tufts University, 1994-1998.
  • Chair, Board of Directors, Family Resource Coalition, 1992-1994.
  • Co-Chair, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (Paris), International Study on Public Policies for Early Childhood Care and Education, 1992.
  • Member, Clinton Education Transition Team, 1992.
  • Vice President, Institute for Responsive Education, 1990-1994.
  • Testimony presented before U.S. Congress, Joint Economic Committee, 1989.
  • Testimony presented before U.S. Congress, House Education and Labor Committee, 1989.
  • Testimony presented before National Commission on Children, 1989.
  • Member, Editorial Advisory Board, Zero to Three, 1991-1998.
  • Editorial Board, Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 1991-1992.
  • Contributing Editor, Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 1987-1989.
  • Commissioner, National Academy of Early Childhood Program Accreditation, 1986.
  • Fellow, United States Senate, June-August 1985.
  • Member, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Transition Advisory Research Panel, 1993-1998.
  • Member, National Institute for Professional Development Advisory Board, National Association for the Education of Young Children, 1991-1998.
  • Member, Contextual Review Panel, Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, National Opinion Research Center, 1994-1998.
  • Member, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Advisory Panel on Head Start Family Child Care, 1995-1998.
  • Member, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Advisory Panel on Head Start Performance Standards, 1996-1998.
  • Member, Center for Career Development in Early Childhood Education, Wheelock College, 1995-1999.
  • Member, Carnegie Task Force on Learning in the Primary Grades, 1995-1997.
  • Member, National Commission on Head Start Fellows, 1995-1997.
  • Member, National Education Advisory Panel of the New American Schools Development Corporation, 1993-1997.
  • Member, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Advisory Panel on Early Head Start Research, 1994-1995.
  • Member, National Head Start Advisory Committee on the Quality and Expansion of Head Start, 1994-1995.
  • Member, The Committee for Economic Development, Research and Policy Committee on Education and Governance, 1993-1995.
  • Member, Public Television for Southern & Central California (KCET), The Puzzle Factory Advisory Board, 1993-1995.
  • Member, National Center for Children in Poverty, Child Care and Early Education Task Force, 1991-1995.
  • Member, U.S. Department of Education, Secretary's Committee on Chapter 1 Testing, 1992-1994.
  • Member, U.S. Department of Education, National Assessment of Chapter 1, Advisory Panel, 1992-1994.
  • Member, U.S. Department of Education, Transition Research Study, National Advisory Panel, 1991-1993.
  • Member, White House/American Enterprise Institute Seminar on Integrated Services for Children and Families, 1991-1992.
  • Member, Harvard University, Center for Health and Human Resources Policy Project on Welfare Reform and Poor Children Advisory Panel, 1991.
  • Member, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Technical Review Panel on Readiness, 1990-1993.
  • Member, National Commission on Low-Income Parents, Communities and their Schools, 1990-1992.
  • Member, Child Welfare League of America, National Day Care Standards Committee, 1990-1992.
  • Member, National Association of State Boards of Education, Readiness Panel, 1990-1992.
  • Member, U.S. Department of Education, Profile of U.S. Child Care Settings, National Advisory Panel, 1990-1992.
  • Member, U.S. Department of Education, Family Education Research Study, National Advisory Panel, 1990-1992.
  • Member, National Head Start Association, 25th Anniversary Silver Ribbon Panel, 1990-1991.
  • Member, The Rockefeller Foundation, Extended Child Care Opportunities, Advisory Panel, 1989-1993.
    Member, Employer-supported Child Care Network, Advisory Board, 1989-1993.
  • Member, Aspen Institute, Seminar on Comprehensive Services to Disadvantaged Children, 1989.
  • Member, National Association for the Education of Young Children Governing Board, 1988-1992.
  • Member, National Association of State Boards of Education, Early Childhood Task Force, 1987-1988.
  • Member, Phi Delta Kappa, National Educational Honor Society, 1983.
  • Member, The Child Development Associate Credentialing Commission, Corporate Planning Committee, 1982-1983.
  • Member, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Head Start Evaluation Design Project, 1980-1981.
  • Consultant, California Master Plan Task Force on School Readiness, 2001-2002.
  • Consultant, Ewing Marion Kauffnan Foundation, 2001-2002.
  • Consultant, U.S. General Accounting Office. 1995-1999.
  • Consultant, Business Round Table, 1992.
  • Consultant, The Carnegie Corporation of New York. 1990-1999.
  • Consultant, Hallmark Corporate Foundation, 1989-1992.
  • Consultant, National Alliance of Business, 1991.
  • Consultant, Pew Charitable Trusts, 1991.
  • Consultant, United Way of America, 1990, 1991.
  • Consultant, Rockefeller Brothers Foundation, 1989-1991.
  • Consultant, U.S. Department of Education, 1988-1991.
  • Consultant, W. K. Kellogg Foundation, 1990.
  • Consultant, Government of Singapore, Ministry of Health, 1989.
  • Consultant, Government of Singapore, Ministry of Community Development, 1989.
  • Consultant, Urban Superintendents, Early Intervention Group, 1989.
  • Consultant, National Junior League, New York City, 1989.
  • Consultant, Intelligy Corporation, 1989.
  • Consultant, Council of Chief State School Officers, 1987-1988. Consultant, Carnegie Corporation of New York, 1987-1988.
  • Consultant, U.S. Department of Education, Secretary Bennett, Round Table on Disadvantaged Children, 1987.
  • Consultant, Canadian Parliamentary Committee on Child Care, 1986.
  • Consultant, The Bush Foundation, 1983-1989.
  • Consultant, Department of Health and Human Services, Assistant Secretary for Human Development, 1983-1986.

State and Local

  • Member, Assessment Technology Advisory Panel, State of Ohio. 1998-1999.
  • Member, University of Missouri Human Development and Family Studies Advisory Board. 1994-1997.
  • Chair, Connecticut Commissioner's Task Force on Educational Services for Four-Year-Old Children, 1984-1985.
  • Gubernatorial Appointee, Connecticut Commission on Children, 1988-1991.
  • Gubernatorial Appointee, Connecticut Child Day Care Council, 1987-1991.
  • Assistant to the Chair and Member, Connecticut Distinguished Citizens' Task Force on Quality Teaching, 1982-1983.
  • Member, New York City Board of Education Task Force on Early Childhood Education, 1987-1988.
  • Member, New York State Council on Children and Families, 1986-1987.
  • Member, National Advisory Committee, Centers in the Parc, Cenvil Corporation, 19841986.
  • Member, Connecticut Committee on Public Expenditures, 1981-1983.
  • Member, State Task Force for the Development of Pre-school Special Education Program Specification, 1977-1979.
  • Consultant, Connecticut Office of Policy and Management. 1994-1998.
  • Consultant, Office of the Governor, Ohio. 1994-1996.
  • Consultant, Delaware Department of Health and Human Services. 1998-1999.
  • Consultant, Florida Partnership for School Readiness. 1999-2000.
  • Consultant, The Rhode Island Foundation. 2000.
  • Consultant, Kamehameha Schools, Hawaii, 1993.
  • Consultant, Colorado Commission on Children and Families, 1991.
  • Consultant, Texas State Department of Education, 1990.
  • Consultant, Oregon Governor and Congressional Leadership, 1989.
  • Consultant, Kansas City Metropolitan Area Regional Council, 1989.
  • Consultant, New Jersey Department of Education, 1989.
  • Visiting Scholar, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, November 1986.

2019 and Upcoming

Kagan, S. L. (2019, July 6). Creating Evaluations for APPI-II. Maria Cecilia Souto Vidigal Foundation, San Paulo, Brazil.

Kagan, S. L. (2019, May 29). Pedagogical lessons from around the world. East China Normal Conference, Shanghai.  

Kagan, S. L. (2019, May 16). The early advantage: Understanding early childhood systems in context. Understanding The Early Advantage, Washington, D.C.

Kagan, S. L. (2019, April 7). The early advantage: Understanding early childhood systems in context. American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting, Toronto, Canada.

Kagan, S. L. (2019, March 8). Global Developments in ECEC. Sri Lanka Early Development Forum, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

2018

Kagan, S. L. (2018, October 17). Early childhood policy in higher education: a new generation of leaders. Grantmakers for Education Conference, San Diego, CA.

Kagan, S. L. (2018, July 6). The Early Advantage: Examining early childhood systems globally - with a Pacific Emphasis. Pacific Early Childhood Education and Research Association, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Kagan, S. L. (2018, June 8). Realising the potential: Thinking fresh and acting smart. Victoria Early Childhood Forum, Melbourne, Australia. 

Kagan, S. L. (2018, May 1). ECE systems: Thinking fresh – acting smart. North Carolina Partnership for Children, National Smart Start Conference, Greensboro, NC. 

Kagan, S. L. (2018, April 23-27). High-quality early education systems: Transforming design into implementation. Maria Cecilia Souto Vidigal Foundation Meeting, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.  

Kagan, S. L. (2018, April 17). The Early Advantage: A comparative study of early childhood education and care in selected high-performing countries. American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting, New York, NY.

Kagan, S. L. (2018, February 7). Rethinking early childhood education in Maryland. Council of Chief State School Officers, R4K State Consortium Leadership Meeting, Baltimore, MD. 

2017

Kagan, S. L. (2017, October 12). A comparative study of early childhood education and care in selected high-performing countries. International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement Annual General Assembly/Pacific Early Childhood Development Conference, Budapest, Hungary. 

Kagan, S. L. (2017, September 19). Making the case for early childhood development. Governors Educations Symposium. Pacific Early Childhood Development Conference, Denarau Island, Fiji.

Kagan, S. L. (2017, August 9). Global context of quality measurements of early education and Colombia’s results. Mineducaction and World Bank Group, Bogota, Columbia.

Kagan, S. L. (2017, June 13). Cultural diversity in early education settings: Using standards to foster equity and diversity. National Association for the Education of Young Children, San Francisco, CA.

Kagan, S. L. (2017, June 11). States at the helm: The shifting winds for early childhood education. Governors Educations Symposium. National Governors Association, Denver, CO.

Kagan, S. L. (2017, June 1). ECE for Maryland’s tomorrow: Thinking fresh, acting smart. Maryland Commission on Rethinking Education, Annapolis, Maryland.

Kagan, S. L. (2017, May 23). Early childhood policy in institutions of higher education. Buffett Early Childhood Fund and Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY.

Kagan, S. L. (2017, April 24). Systems thinking: Redesigning early childhood special education. University of Connecticut Health Center’s Leadership Institute, Avon, CT.

Kagan, S. L. (2017, March 1). High-quality early childhood development services. Transforming design into implementation. Inter-American Development Bank Seminar, Washington, DC.

Kagan, S. L. (2017, February 27). The early advantage: Lessons from leading countries. National Center on Education and the Economy Board Meeting, Washington, DC.

2016

Kagan, S. L. (2016, November 30). Examining early childhood policy: International perspectives. UNICEF, Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

Kagan, S. L. (2016, November 1). Advancing the measurement of young children in Colombia. Colombia Ministry of Education and The World Bank, Bogota, Colombia.

Kagan, S. L. (2016, September 18). Pedagogy in early childhood education and care – Nordic challenges and solutions. Finnish National Board of Education, Helsinki, Finland.

Kagan, S. L. (2016, September 7). Together stronger: Multi-sectional cooperation. International ECD South-South Conference, UNICEF Morocco, Rabat, Morocco.

Kagan, S. L. (2016, August 22). Developing and implementing the curriculum framework for pre-school education in Kosovo. UNICEF Kosovo, Pristina, Kosovo.

Kagan, S. L. (2016, July 21). Transforming early childhood: Innovations for quality and inclusivity. Asia-Pacific Regional Policy Forum, Putrajaya, Malaysia.

Kagan, S. L. (2016, July 6). Transforming early childhood systems for future generations. Keynote presentation. OMEP World Assembly, Seoul, Korea.

Kagan, S. L. (2016, June 21). Measuring quality in Colombia: The CELQI. CPC Learning Network Meeting, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY.

Kagan, S. L. (2016, June 6). Early childhood policy: The role of institutions of higher education. National Association for the Education of Young Children, Baltimore, MD.

Kagan, S. L. (2016, May 2). Facing the future. Keynote presentation on sustainability, quality, and equity. University of Connecticut Health Center’s ECPC Leadership Institute, Avon, CT.

2015

Kagan, S. L. (2015, November 19). Preschool development expansion grantee peer exchange. National Institute for Early Education Research, Rutgers University Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes, New York, NY.

Kagan, S. L. (2015, October 7). Toward a new framework for planning and action in         early childhood systems. Keynote presentation. BUILD, Cleveland, OH.

Kagan, S. L. (2015, August 20). Early childhood quality and transitions. Keynote presentation. Intersectoral Commission for Early Childhood Comprehensive Care, Bogota, Colombia.

Kagan, S. L. (2015, June 25). Transitions: What, why, and how? Issues for policy makers. Keynote presentation. International symposium on transitions in early childhood settings, Fundacion Bancolombia, Medellin, Colombia.

Kagan, S. L. (2015, June 7). Early learning and a contemporary “think.” Special sponsored session. National Association for the Education of Young Children, New Orleans, LA.

Kagan, S. L. (2015, June 7). Governing early childhood education: Options and opportunities. National Association for the Education of Young Children, New Orleans, LA.

Kagan, S. L. (2015, April 30). The changing landscape of early childhood education globally. East China Normal University, Xi’an, China.

Kagan, S. L. (2015, April 24). Achieving quality in early childhood education in Korea. EWHA Women’s University Conference, Seoul, Korea.

Kagan, S. L. (2015, April 16). Enlightened leaders: Using theory to advance action. World Principals’ Forum, Victoria Education Organization, Hong Kong, China.

Kagan, S. L. (2015, February 6). Making this moment count: The challenge and the hope of pre-k! Keynote presentation. Seizing the Moment Conference, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY.

Kagan, S. L. (2015, February 6). The complicated questions around ELDS: Standards without standardization. Seizing the Moment Conference, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY.

2014

Kagan, S. L. (2014, November 13). Putting research to work. Shaping the Developing Brain – Prenatal through Early Childhood Conference, New York Academy of Sciences, New York, NY.

Kagan, S. L. (2014, November 6). The institutional architecture of early childhood development policies: A comparative study in 5 LAC countries. Inter-American Development Bank, Bogota, Colombia.

Kagan, S. L. (2014, October 9). An overview of ECE from a systems perspective. Columbia University Reading and Writing Project, Teachers College, New York, NY.

Kagan, S. L. (2014, October 9). Looking forward: Building an early childhood system. Columbia University Reading and Writing Project, Teachers College, New York, NY.

Kagan, S. L. (2014, October 7). Excellence for every child: Standards without standardization. Columbia University Reading and Writing Project, Teachers College, New York, NY.

Kagan, S. L. (2014, October 7). Early childhood and the K-12 system: Continuity, transitions, and alignment. Columbia University Reading and Writing Project, Teachers College, New York, NY.

Kagan, S. L. (2014, October, 29). Early childhood development: A global perspective. Keynote presentation. The National Social Work Conference, Ministry of Social Development, UNICEF Oman, Muscat, Oman.

Kagan, S. L. (2014, October 22). Systems thinking in early childhood: A story of pies, gears, light bulbs, and stars. Early Childhood Personnel Center Leadership Institute, University of Connecticut Health Center, Avon, CT.

Kagan, S. L. (2014, October 23). Leadership for young children. Early Childhood Personnel Center Leadership Institute, University of Connecticut Health Center, Avon, CT.

Kagan, S. L. (2014, September 11). Achieving quality services for young children. Great Beginnings – Promising Futures: Early Childhood and the Queensland Plan, ECEC Network Event, Brisbane, AU.

Kagan, S. L. (2014, September 6). Influencing social policy and government decision-making. Early Childhood Australia National Conference, Melbourne/Brisbane, AU.

Kagan, S. L. (2014, September). Building the legacy: Producing quality, equitable, and sustainable early childhood programs and policies. Early Childhood Australia National Conference, Melbourne/Brisbane, AU.

Kagan, S. L. (2014, September). 10 trends in ECE internationally: An era of changing, thinking, goals, and strategies. Early Childhood Australia National Conference, Melbourne/Brisbane, AU.

Kagan, S. L. (2014, September). Rethinking assessment: Implications for pedagogy, practice, and programs. Early Childhood Australia National Conference, Melbourne/Brisbane, AU.

Kagan, S. L. (2014, August 18). Moving early childhood education from controversial to conventional: Light bulbs, pies, gears, and stars. Keynote presentation. First Things First Early Childhood Summit, Phoenix, AZ.

Kagan, S. L. (2014, July 29). The importance of comprehensive standards. Keynote presentation. Governor’s Institute P-3 Collaboration, Pennsylvania Department of Education, State College, PA.

Kagan, S. L. (2014, July 1). The institutional architecture of early childhood development policies and programs in Latin America and the Caribbean. Inter-American Development Bank, Washington, DC.

Kagan, S. L. (2014, June 8). The content of early learning and development standards: What’s in, what’s out, and what does it mean? National Association for the Education of Young Children Professional Development Conference, Minneapolis, MN.

Kagan, S. L. (2014, June 2). Collaborations: The cat with nine lives. University of Connecticut Health Center’s Early Childhood Personnel Center’s Leadership Institute, Farmington, CT.

Kagan, S. L. (2014, May 2). Early childhood policies: An ode to Brown vs. Board of Education. Brown Anniversary Conference, Teachers College, Columbia  University, New York, NY.

Kagan, S. L. (2014, March 6). Early childhood education: The promise and the prognosis. Keynote presentation. Towson University Signature Forum, Towson, MD.

2013

Kagan, S. L. (2013, December 9). Backlash against testing in early childhood education. Teachers College 125th Year Celebration: Testing Then and Now, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY.

Kagan, S. L. (2013, November 19). The documented effects and impacts of ECC   programs on children and women. International Seminar on Early Childhood and Care Systems in Latin America and Europe, Inter-American Development Bank, San Jose, Costa Rica.

Kagan, S. L. (2013, October 24). Enhancing and ensuring quality with equity. University of Hong Kong’s International Forum on Kindergarten Education, Hong Kong, China.

Kagan, S. L. (2013, September 19). What is quality in early childhood integral care, and how to manage it? Keynote presentation. Inter-American Development Bank, Washington, DC.

Kagan, S. L. (2013, June 18). Improving the quality framework for all. Keynote presentation. UNICEF Turkey International Conference, Ankara, Turkey.
           
Kagan, S. L. (2013, June 12). The systems and sub-systems for the provision of early childhood development services: Latin America and the Caribbean. World Bank, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Kagan, S. L. (2013, May 11). Using the revised Iowa early learning standards: Beyond the classroom. Iowa Association for the Education of Young Children’s Professional Development Leadership, Des Moines, IA.

Kagan, S. L. (2013, May 10). Lessons learned in revising, adopting, infusing, implementing, and validating early learning standards. Iowa Association for the Education of Young Children’s Professional Development Leadership, Des Moines, IA.

Kagan, S. L. (2013, May 4). Individual development for early educators: Taking early learning standards from theory to change to practice. CAYL’s Early Educators Fellowship Initiative Speaker Series, Leominster, MA.

Kagan, S. L. (2013, April 16). Early childhood and the K-12 system: Creating alignment. Keynote presentation. Northland Foundation Early Childhood Summit, Duluth, MN.

Kagan, S. L. (2013, March 14). Standards alignment: A first step toward developing a coherent B-3rd grade learning continuum. National Governors Association & Council of Chief State School Officers Policy Forum, Philadelphia, PA.

Kagan, S. L. (2013, March 4). Improving standards: Issues and actions. Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care and Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Early Learning Standards Strategic Planning Session, Brookline, MA.

Kagan, S. L. (2013, February 25). Global experiences using the early learning and development standards. Asia-Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood and the University of Hong Kong East Asia-Pacific Early Childhood Development Scales Workshop, Hong Kong, China.

Kagan, S. L. (2013, January 31). Overview of systems thinking. Benedum Foundation Early Childhood Information Session, Charleston, WV.

2012

Kagan, S. L. (2012, November 9). Georgia’s pre-k program: Celebrating 20 years—looking back but moving forward. National Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA.

Kagan, S. L. (2012, November 8). Can we make the common core state standards uncommonly appropriate for young children? National Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA.

Kagan, S. L. (2012, October 19). Early childhood and the K-12 system: The promise and perils of linking systems. The BUILD Initiative, Atlanta, GA.

Kagan, S. L. (2012, September 19). Transition of children from early care & education settings to kindergarten/public schools. Keynote presentation, Maryland State Department of Education Forum. Baltimore, MD.

Kagan, S. L. (2012, September 13). An overview of the history of early learning systems building. The George Washington University Center on Equity and Excellence in Education Conference’s Mid-Atlantic Comprehensive Center Conference,     Washington, DC.

Kagan, S. L. (2012, August 13). Learning standards: A foundation for educational reform? Connecticut State Department of Education Assessment Forum, Cromwell, CT.

Kagan, S. L. (2012, June 10). Creating early childhood systems: New visions and next steps. National Association for the Education of Young Children Professional Development Conference, Indianapolis, IN.

Kagan, S. L. (2012, June 8). The content and alignment of early learning standards for mathematics. National Association for the Education of Young Children Professional Development Conference, Indianapolis, IN.

Kagan, S. L. (2012, June 1). Findings from a national panel. Early Education Advisory Committee Forum. Center for American Progress, Washington, DC.

Kagan, S. L. (2012, May 13). Early learning and development standards support workshop. UNICEF Ankara, Turkey.

Kagan, S. L. (2012, April 20). On eggs and hens: Keeping our eyes on what matters. Keynote presentation. Ohio Early Care & Education Conference, Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children, Columbus, OH.

Kagan, S. L. (2012, April 20). On paper chains and four leaf clovers: The real story of transitions for young children. Ohio Early Care & Education Conference, Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children, Columbus, OH.

Kagan, S. L. (2012, April 16). Roots, rights and responsibilities: Implementing the early   learning challenge. Keynote presentation. Early Childhood Funders Collaborative, Chicago, IL.

Kagan, S. L. (2012, March 29). Learning from our differences: Rethinking pre-service teacher education for children’s successful preK-3 early education. First School Working Conference, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, Chapel Hill, NC.

Kagan, S. L. (2012, March 5). Integrating services for young children. Keynote presentation. Annual Children’s Mental Health Research and Policy Conference. University of South Florida, Tampa, FL.

2011

Kagan, S. L. (2011, November 7). Policy implications of math standards for young children. Supporting Early Math Learning Conference, University of California, Berkeley School of Education, Berkeley, CA.

Kagan, S. L. (2011, September 27). Young children: The key to building a “wealthy” nation. Keynote presentation. Child Development Network, Singapore.

Kagan, S. L. (2011, September 8).  Developing systems for young children: The Early Learning Challenge Fund. Keynote presentation. First Five Years Fund, Chicago, IL.

Kagan, S. L. (2011, August 29). Using early learning and development standards for teacher training. UNICEF Skopje, Macedonia.

Kagan, S. L. (2011, July 11).  Implementing standards for young children. Keynote presentation. Georgia Early Learning Standards Forum, Bright From the Start – Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, Atlanta, GA.

Kagan, S. L. (2011, June 21). Early learning and development standards support workshop. UNICEF, Asmara, Eritrea.

Kagan, S. L. (2011, April 11). Early childhood education in a time of change: One highly successful approach. Keynote presentation. Sisters of Charity of Canton, Canton, OH.

Kagan, S. L. (2011, February 21). Early childhood: Challenges and opportunities. Keynote presentation. National Early Childhood Care and Education Conference, Republic of Seychelles.

Kagan, S. L. (2011, January 22). Asia-Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood. East Asia Pacific Early Childhood Development Scale Workshop, Hong Kong.

2010

Kagan, S. L. (2010, December 9). 20/20: An early childhood vision for Maryland. Keynote presentation. Ready at Five School Readiness Symposium, Baltimore, MD.

Kagan, S. L. (2010, October 15). Bottom up, top down: What we can do to bring about change for children. Gesell Institute Early Childhood Leadership Conference, New Haven, CT.

Kagan, S. L. (2010, September 29). World conference on early childhood care and education: Building the wealth of nations. The Quest for Quality: UNESCO World Conference on Early Childhood Care and Education, Moscow, Russia.

Kagan, S. L. (2010, September 13). Early learning and development standards support workshop. UNICEF Swaziland, Mbabane, Swaziland.

Kagan, S. L. (2010, July 20). Models of early childhood service delivery: Policy and operational lessons for the Andean region. The Inter-American Development Bank, Quito, Ecuador.

Kagan, S. L. (2010, June 14). Assessing the quality of early education. Keynote presentation. International Seminar on Assessing the Quality of Early Education, Brazilian Ministry of Education, the Inter-American Development Bank and the Carlos Chagas Foundation, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Kagan, S. L. (2010, May 13). ECE looking forward: A call for excellence, coherence, and equity. McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership at National-Louis University, Wheeling, IL.

Kagan, S. L. (2010, April 7). Creating an early childhood system: The essential role of collaboration. United States Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Washington, DC.

Kagan, S. L. (2010, March 26). Measuring and replicating success in early childhood education. Yale University School of Management, New Haven, CT.

Kagan, S. L. (2010, March 1). A new framework for transitions in the early years: Pedagogy, programs, and policies. Comparative and International Educational Conference, Chicago, IL.

2009

Kagan, S. L. (2009, June 11). Colloquy on kindergarten, readiness assessments: Purposes, instrumentation, and uses of data. Council of Chief State School Officers Early Childhood Education Assessment and State Collaborative on Assessment and Student Standards Conference, Charlotte, NC.

Kagan, S. L. (2009, April 6). American early childhood education: Preventing or perpetuating inequity? Teachers College, Columbia University Equity in Education Forum, New York, NY.

Kagan, S. L. (2009, March 31). Linking ready kids to ready schools: Next steps for policy change. SPARK National Policy Forum, Washington, DC.

Kagan, S. L. (2009, February 25). Overview of state early childhood and K-12 data systems. Council of Chief State School Officers Early Childhood Conference, Orlando, FL.

Kagan, S. L. (2009, January 30). Early childhood education in a time of change:  Implications for us! Southern Early Childhood Association Conference, Myrtle Beach, SC.


Related Articles

TC President, 11 Faculty Make 2014 EduScholar Public Influence Rankings

Rankings by Rick Hess, education blogger for the American Enterprise Institute, include President Susan Fuhrman and Thomas Bailey, Jeff Henig, Luis Huerta, Sharon Lynn Kagan, Hank Levin, Ernest Morrell, Aaron Pallas, Michael Rebell, Judith Scott-Clayton, Amy Stuart Wells and Penny Wohlstetter. Hess annually ranks university scholars by their contributions to public debates about education.

Lynn Kagan Assists US DOE in Announcing Recipients of $500 million Federal Pre-School Funding

In a conference call with education reporters, Kagan said, "everybody is waking up to the importance of very high-quality programs for all young children."

Building a System for Educating the Very Young

During the past 30 years, no one has done more than Sharon Lynn Kagan to champion the first five years of life as a critically important window for learning essential skills, habits and information.

A Study Co-Led by Kagan Affirms Georgia's Early Learning Standards

Study found that Georgia's early learning standards are well developed and clear, embracing critical elements of early learning

New Federal Effort is a Huge Step Forward for Early Education

The $500 million, Race to the Top -Early Learning Challenge represents a "bold, significant, innovative effort" to support the development of an early-learning system for children from birth to age five, writes Kagan, the Virginia and Leonard Marx professor of early childhood and family policy at Teachers College and co-director of the National Center for Children and Families, in an opinion piece in Education Week.

Publishing Early on Early Childhood Education

While still a doctoral student, Kate Tarrant has published two books on early childhood education. Her co-author is no slouch, either

Inside the Beltway

A unique, five-day experience immerses TC students in the world of education policy

Education Policy Grounded in Research

T. Nicole Washington wants to translate research for educators and policymakers.

Celebrating Wellness, in All Its Dimensions

TC's third annual Academic Festival reflects a holistic approach to education embedded in the College's DNA

The Best Policy

A new department centralizes the College's interdisciplinary policy work.

Writing the Book on Early Childhood Transitions

Rethinking the structures that serve children, their families and their teachers

Sharon Lynn Kagan

Sharon Lynn Kagan: the world's largest database on successful programs that help young children with critical transitions

The Best Policy

A new department will centralize the College's interdisciplinary policy work and bring together some of the nation's leading experts.

TEACHERS COLLEGE CREATES EDUCATION POLICY DEPARTMENT

The new department will centralize the College's interdisciplinary policy work and bring together some of the nation's leading experts.

2010-11: The Year of Research at TC

President Fuhrman outlines the 2010--11 school year as TC's "Year of Research"

Kagan Receives Honorary Doctorate in Hong Kong

TC's Sharon Lynn Kagan received an honorary Doctorate of Education degree from the Hong Kong Institute of Education in November, in recognition of her substantial body of work in early childhood research and education policy.

The State of the College: It's the Year of Research at TC

TC's President says there has never been a more opportune moment to focus on evidence-based solutions in education writ large

Engaged in the Pursuit of Equity

Joe Rogers, Jr. (M.A. '09) is using his policy skills and community organizing talents to mobilize key stakeholders around improving New York's public schools.

Ginsburg, Kagan Call for Math Instruction for Very Young

Contrary to conventional wisdom of many educators and parents, very young children can learn math. That was the message at a panel at Teachers College on Tuesday, when TC faculty members Herbert Ginsburg and Sharon Lynn Kagan discussed the results of a 2009 National Academy of Sciences study to which they had contributed. A video of the panel discussion is online here.

Thinking Big About How to Close the Gap

At TC's Fourth Annual Symposium on Educational Equity, a star-studded cast of researchers, educators and policymakers argued for nothing less than a full-scale attempt to combat poverty and its attendant ills. Michael A. Rebell, Executive Director of TC's Campaign for Educational Equity, which organized and hosted the symposium, argued that access for children and families to what he calls "comprehensive educational equity" -- in essence, a full range of services -- should be viewed as a moral, statutory and constitutional right.

What's The Big Idea?

There are huge opportunities at TC to unite people across fields and departments, but far too little has been done to capitalize on them... until now.

Team Pre-K

Jeanne Brooks-Gunn and Sharon Lynn Kagan are leaders in the early childhood education revolution.

New Books from TC Faculty

With works on topics ranging from education policy research to arts administration, the College's faculty have been prolific in 2007--08. Here's a look at some of their oeuvre.

National Task Force Chaired by TC's Kagan Issues New Recommendations on Pre-K Policy

The National Early Childhood Accountability Task Force has released its final report and recommendations for developing a comprehensive assessment system to improve the performance of early education programs. Over the past four years, states have invested more than $1.9 billion in preschool to improve outcomes for children, but few have implemented a comprehensive effort for assessing and improving performance to ensure that early education returns intended results.

Getting Better All the Time

Teachers College "has always been an incredibly policy-rich environment," says Sharon Lynn Kagan, who was named TC's first Associate Dean for Policy and head of the newly created Office of Policy and Research (OPR) in 2004. "Now we're making it an easier place to navigate, and that's one more reason why we're becoming the institute of choice both for users of policy research and for policy students."

Tough Choices or Tough Times

The National Center on Education and the Economy has released a report that argues for a major shift in priorities for the nation's K-12 education system. TC's Lynn Kagan is a major contributor. Click here to read the report's executive summary.

TC: America's Policy Mecca

"The more the merrier," said President Susan Fuhrman welcoming TC's students to the College's 5th Annual Policy Studies Orientation Panel on September 12th. Fuhrman's reference was to TC's unrivaled breadth of policy-related courses and programs. However she was also keynoting an event specifically designed to help students navigate this rich assortment which in the past has sometimes puzzled newcomers.

Teachers College Hosts Strategic Conference on Early Care and Education

On June 9th and 10th, The National Center for Children and Families will convene a leading-edge group of American policy leaders to focus on Early Education and Care. The event, "Capitalizing on the Investment: Making the Most of Your Early Care and Education Dollars," will arm policy makers with the most recent research and scholarship available. The nation's leading researchers on children's policies will join NCCF Co-directors Sharon Lynn Kagan and Jeanne Brooks-Gunn as the group engages in serious debate around tough, unresolved policy issues.

Student Profile- Pursuing Her Inner Wonk

Kristie Kauerz combines policy and research to seek better opportunities for children.

The End of an Era

Arthur Levine had much to report in his annual State of the College address on September 14, but he saved the biggest news for last: he will step down as the Colleges President on July 1, 2006. His departure will cap a 12-year run during which the College tripled its endowment; refurbished and rehabilitated its physical plant; reorganized its academic departments and strengthened its faculty and Board of Trustees; conducted the largest capital campaign ever undertaken by a graduate school of education; and adopted a new mission focused on educational equity.

2004 at TC: The Year in Review

It was a year when the College rolled out a new mission, took steps to position itself as a leading education policy center, made dramatic improvements in student life, launched or enhanced major programs to support working teachers and principals, and strengthened its outreach to New York City, the nation and the world.

The Next Big Thing

TC has strengthened its faculty and its administration, refurbished its campus and raised $155 million. Now it's time for some serious change.

People in the News

Nektaria Glinou, Edmund W. Gordon, Sharon Lynn Kagan, Stephen Silverman

A Renewed Sense of Purpose

State of the College address highlights focus on educational equity

Education Policy Panel Discusses the Real-World Impact of No Child Left Behind

In 2001, the "No Child Left Behind" Act (NCLB) was signed into law with great fanfare, promising to produce widespread change and promote improvement in the public schools. A Panel at TC discusses it's true impact.

Mothers and Young Children Are Not Doing Well by Welfare Reform

Policy leaders in Washington and the states are engaging a new debate over an old question: How can society best aid jobless mothers and enrich their children's lives?

Marian Wright Edelman Delivers Annual Marx Lecture

Children in the United States are hungry. Some are homeless. Some are being abused. There are 12 million of them that need our help-even more now than they did before, said Marian Wright Edelman, TC's seventh Virginia and Leonard Marx lecturer.

TC's Bailey and Kagan Elected to National Academy of Education

Two leading policy faculty members are recognized for their "extraordinary impact" on education in the United States and abroad

Professor Kagan Consults on Landmark Report Ranking Quality of Early Childhood Education in 45 countries

The report, produced by the Economist Intelligence Unit of The Economist magazine, "signals the importance of early childhood development to the social economy of countries," Kagan said.

TC's Lynn Kagan says Obama's pre-school proposal "represents a milestone achievement"

On Wired Academic, the co-director of the National Center for Children and Families says preschool options will help the US compete economically with other countries.

Professor Sharon Lynn Kagan

Marx Professor of Early Childhood and Family Policy

3 Questions with Sharon Lynn Kagan

Sharon Lynn Kagan is the Virginia and Leonard Marx Professor of Early Childhood and Family Policy and Co-Director of the National Center for Children and Families at Teachers College, Columbia University. Recognized internationally for her work related to the care and education of young children and their families, Kagan has helped define school readiness, the early childhood system, dimensions of collaboration, and leadership in early care and education.

Kagan is a frequent consultant to the White House, Congress, the National Governors' Association, the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services, and numerous states, foundations, corporations, and professional associations. She has worked around the globe with UNICEF to establish early learning standards in more than 40 developing countries. Read more...

Another successful run for the Federal Policy Institute course with Prof. Sharon Lynn Kagan

EPSA course, Federal Policy Institute EDPA 4899, offered during fall semesters and led by Professor Sharon Lynn Kagan, has had another successful run. It continued into January 2015, when students had a rare week-long opportunity to work with education policy experts in Washington D.C. The course will finish in February with students presentations.

Time to Change How We Think About Early Education

International study led by TC's Sharon Lynn Kagan suggests the US could benefit from a new perspective.

Attachments

Curriculum Vitae

Curriculum Vitae

Back to skip to quick links