The University of California, Berkeley School of Education (BSE), collaborating with researchers across the campus and at UCLA, will advise early childhood education leaders on expanding access to quality preschool education for L.A. families under a $1.4 million grant from Ballmer Group. Berkeley will train school principals, ease upward mobility for experienced early childhood teachers, and research how child-care and pre-K organizations reach and support younger children, as California continues to invest in early education.
This initiative comes on the heels of a multi-billion-dollar investment by Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers, beginning in 2021, to expand and improve child-care options and make all 4-year-olds eligible for Transitional Kindergarten (TK). Alongside early successes, recent analysis by Berkeley researchers and children’s advocates also has revealed early implementation challenges. In response, Berkeley scholars will work to identify effective practices for increasing pre-K spaces, producing quality teachers more efficiently, and boosting the ability of local educators to enhance classroom experiences for young learners.
“We have significant expertise across the university, and it is inspiring to see units like the Center for Workforce Development and the Goldman School for Public Policy coming together with Berkeley School of Education to focus on critical issues concerning early learning and development in Los Angeles,” said Professor Michelle D. Young, dean of the Berkeley School of Education. “This collaborative effort not only leverages Berkeley’s deep expertise but also aims to deliver tangible solutions that benefit children, educators, and communities across California.”
Professor David C. Wilson, dean of UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy, emphasized the importance of this effort. “Policy innovation and cross-sector collaboration are key to addressing systemic challenges in early education. This partnership represents a significant step forward in advancing equitable access to early education, reinforcing Berkeley’s role as a leader in education research and policy development. Indeed, public policy is how a better future gets made.”
Kim Pattillo Brownson, Ballmer Group’s director of policy, strategy, and partnerships for Los Angeles County, expressed enthusiasm for the project. “Ballmer Group is proud to support this collaborative initiative led by Berkeley. Given California’s historic investments in early education, Berkeley’s work will be critical for teachers and other educational leaders who support young children to learn and grow. Implementation matters and this work will lift up what’s working as well as opportunities for innovation. Every child deserves an opportunity to learn and thrive, and we are grateful that Berkeley’s work will shine a light on implementation strategies that improve outcomes for children and families.”
The initiative will bring together a key network of researchers and program designers including BSE Professor Bruce Fuller; Professor Rucker Johnson and Austin Land of the Goldman School of Public Policy; the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment at UC Berkeley under Lea Austin; BSE Leadership Programs under Rebecca Cheung; and the 21st Century School Leadership Academy Universal Transitional Kindergarten, an initiative of BSE and UCLA. This interdisciplinary team aims to provide policy guidance for the early care and education field while evaluating the impact of California’s historic public investment in young children and their families as well as the professional learning of leaders who are implementing UTK at their sites.
This project underscores Berkeley’s commitment to improving outcomes for children and their families. Through this initiative, the university aims to help shape a brighter future for young learners in Los Angeles County and beyond.