Innovative Evaluation Approaches in Early Childhood Education
When Colorado received over $700 million in federal and state stimulus funding for early childhood programs in 2021–2022, the state’s Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) saw an opportunity to do things differently. Instead of evaluating each funded program in isolation, they partnered with the University of Denver’s Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab (Colorado Lab) to establish the Early Childhood Evaluation Hub—a coordinated approach to understanding the impact of these investments.
As one of several research partners selected by the Colorado Lab, Marzano Research has been deeply involved in this innovative evaluation initiative. The Hub coordinated evaluations for nearly 20 stimulus-funded strategies, covering about 90% of the allocated funds. This streamlined approach not only reduces administrative overhead but ensures that findings can effectively guide policy decisions.
The real power of the Hub lies in its ability to connect the dots across programs. Moving beyond traditional standalone evaluation reports, this structure allows evaluators to uncover patterns and generate insights that span multiple initiatives. A comprehensive perspective helps shape broader policy while maintaining a clear view of how individual programs perform.
Our team at Marzano Research focused on evaluating several programs designed to strengthen Colorado’s early childhood infrastructure. We combined rigorous data analysis with in-depth qualitative research through surveys, focus groups, and interviews with providers and administrators. This approach helped us understand not just what worked, but why and how—providing practical insights into using stimulus funds effectively for systemic improvements in early childhood education.
Throughout our work, regular communication with other evaluation teams and Hub coordinators sharpened our data collection methods and helped us spot emerging trends across the state. This cooperative environment ensures our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of effective practices in early childhood education.
At Marzano Research, we believe evaluation should do more than document outcomes—it should uncover the ingredients for success and identify obstacles to long-term sustainability. The Hub’s focus on building evidence for future decision-making aligns perfectly with this philosophy.
The implications of Colorado’s approach extend well beyond state lines. For state and local education agencies looking to make evidence-based decisions, the Hub demonstrates how systematic evaluation can drive both immediate improvements and future policy. By combining strong administrative support, strategic alignment, and robust evaluation, Colorado has created a model that other states can learn from as they work to strengthen their own early childhood education systems.
Explore the progress of the projects we evaluated:
- Family Child Care Home and Availability of Care Navigators
- Staffed Family Child Care Network Pilots
- Implement a Substitute Fund Pilot
Or, read more about Colorado’s early childhood investments.
Learn more about Marzano Research’s program evaluation services and early childhood education expertise, or contact me here.
