The Harvard Family Research Project separated from the Harvard Graduate School of Education to become the Global Family Research Project as of January 1, 2017. It is no longer affiliated with Harvard University.
Research Bibliography: Relations Between Workforce Development and Child Outcomes in Four Human Service Sectors
This web only version of the Theory & Practice section features an expanded article from Harvard Family Research Project that explores connections between workforce development and child outcomes in four human service sectors.
Research Spotlight: Families and Digital Media in Young Children's Learning
These resources look at issues related to digital media and learning in early childhood and focus on such topics as children’s media use in the 21st century, family perspectives on children’s media use, and research-based guidance for practitioners and parents.
Research Spotlight: Get Started!—Resources on Using Evaluation for Continuous Improvement
This Research Spotlight, which follows up on our 2013 fall FINE Newsletter, has been compiled in response to our readers’ interest in using data for continuous improvement.
Research Update 1: Highlights from the OST Database
This Research Update synthesizes findings from the profiles of 15 research and evaluation reports added to the Out-of-School Time Program Research and Evaluation Database in December 2006. It highlights strategies for assessing program processes as well as key outcomes and features of programs that promote positive outcomes.
Free. Available online only.
Research Update 2: Highlights from the OST Database
Synthesizes findings from the profiles of 13 research and evaluation reports added to the OST Program Research and Evaluation Database in August 2007.
Free. Available online only.
Research Update 3: Highlights From the Out-of-School Time Database
This publication explores how out-of-school time programs use evaluation to inform their programming and serve older youth and their families.
Free. Available online only.
Research Update 4: 21st CCLC-Funded Afterschool Programs
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative provides funds for afterschool programs across the country and is the only federal funding source dedicated exclusively to afterschool programming. This issue in our Research Update: Highlights from the OST Database series, discusses the features and benefits of afterschool programs funded by the 21st CCLC initiative.
Free. Available online only.
Research Update 5: STEM Out-of-School Time Programs for Girls
Out-of-school time (OST) programs that focus on girls’ involvement in STEM can play an essential role in improving female representation in these traditionally male-dominated fields. OST programs offer girls a non-threatening and non-academic environment for hands-on learning that is collaborative, informal, and personal. However, barriers to quality implementation and outcome-based evaluation present challenges for STEM programs serving girls. This Research Update highlights findings from the evaluations and research studies in the OST Database that focus on STEM programs for girls.
Free. Available online only.
Research Update 6: Out-Of-School Time Programs In Rural Areas
Out-of-school time (OST) programming can be a crucial asset to families in rural areas where resources to support children’s learning and development are often insufficient to meet the community’s needs. This issue in our Research Update series addresses the benefits, challenges, and successful strategies of OST programs in rural areas.
Free. Available online only.
Research Update 7: Out-of-School Time Programs for Older Youth
This Research Update addresses the benefits, challenges, and successful strategies of OST programs for older youth, based on data from eight recent evaluations and research studies profiled in our OST Research and Evaluation Database.
Free. Available online only.
Research Update 8: 21st Century Community Learning Centers—Stable Funding for Innovation and Continuous Improvement
The latest issue in our Research Update series reviews evaluations and research studies that showcase innovations in afterschool programs supported by 21st CCLC funding.
Resolving Issues at Johnson Elementary School
The director of a Parent Resource Center is concerned to hear that a number of parents are boycotting the program because they think the parent coordinator used her school connections to place her son in a gifted science class. How can the director and principal ease the tension?
Free. Available online only.
Resource Guide for Early Childhood Transitions: Annotated Bibliography
This annotated bibliography provides a selected listing of journal articles, research briefs, and reports that focus on early childhood transitions and school readiness. They cover a variety of topics central to the issue of early childhood transitions, including family engagement and home–school and program–school partnerships. Because the Head Start program is one of the most frequently studied early childhood initiatives, many of the resources focus on the transition from Head Start to preschool/kindergarten.
Resource Guide for Family Engagement Across the Developmental Pathway
This bibliographic resource builds on the work presented in the Family Involvement Makes a Difference series to provide a selected listing of recent publications across the full developmental spectrum.
Free. Available online only.
Resource Guide for Family Engagement in Education at the High School Level
A sampling of research reports, best practices, and tools to guide you in conceptualizing and creating effective family engagement strategies for high school students.
Free. Available online only.
Resource Guide for Family-Centered Child Care
This guide offers ideas and resources for implementing family support principles in child care, and an annotated bibliography of up-to-date publications and training materials that child care providers can use to improve their efforts to support families.
$4.50 . 27 Pages.
Resource Guide for High School Transitions: Annotated Bibliography
This bibliographic resource provides a selected listing of journal articles, research briefs, and other resources that focus on the transitions into and out of high school as well as general high school and college readiness. These resources address a variety of topics related to high school transitions including family engagement, school practices, and student outcomes.
Resource Guide of Results-Based Accountability Efforts: Profiles of Selected States
This guide includes profiles of different state models of results-based accountability systems, which were developed through document reviews and key informant interviews. Included in the guide is a list of key contacts and bibliographic information on publications each state has developed.
$9.95 . 98 Pages.
Resources for Promoting Child Development
Celebrate the Week of the Young Child by learning about Head Start’s ongoing commitment to supporting early childhood educators in implementing a comprehensive, two-generation approach to child development and well-being. As Head Start reaches its 50th anniversary, learn about its exemplary resources.
Results-Based Accountability #1
This issue of The Evaluation Exchange, Harvard Family Research Project's quarterly evaluation periodical, explores results-based accountability. The issue includes an overview of accountability systems, discussing both the opportunities and challenges they present, as well as HFRP's preliminary findings from our Results-Based Accountability Project, which is studying the approaches of several states in designing and implementing accountability systems.
Results-Based Accountability #2
Minnesota and Oregon were among the first states in the nation to develop results-based accountability systems and, as such, have addressed many of the challenges that other states are facing. In this issue of The Evaluation Exchange we share our preliminary analysis of issues arising in the early implementation of these new systems and we include articles by those developing and implementing results-based accountability systems.
Results-Based Accountability Systems in Practice: Oregon and Minnesota
Harvard Family Research Project presents brief descriptions of Minnesota and Oregon's results-based accountability systems.
Results-Based Accountability Systems: Opportunities and Challenges
Karen Horsch of Harvard Family Research Project provides an overview of accountability systems, including their opportunities and challenges.
Rethinking the Evaluation of Family Strengthening Strategies: Beyond Traditional Program Evaluation Models
Charles Bruner of the Child and Family Policy Center outlines three factors of good family strengthening programs that evaluators are not adequately measuring in their evaluations.