Wellesley College, MA
Evidence for Stronger Early Learning Systems
The Massachusetts Early Childhood Policy Research Summit brings together researchers, policymakers, funders, and practitioners to share current research, data, and design work and to shape a statewide early childhood policy research collaborative.
At the 2026 summit, Abt will share findings from our longitudinal evaluation of the Early Childhood Support Organization (ECSO) initiative. This Massachusetts effort from the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and New Profit seeks to strengthen center-based program quality through sustained support for leaders and educators.
Abt brings deep experience in early childhood research, monitoring, evaluation, data collection, and technical assistance. In Massachusetts and beyond, we help agencies and partners gather evidence, interpret results, and use what they learn to strengthen programs and decisions.
If you will be at the summit, connect with our expert to discuss the ECSO findings and explore related Abt work in early childhood policy and practice.
Meet Our Expert
- Elizabeth Hentschel – Senior Research Analyst
Abt’s ECSO Project Poster
Explore our Projects and Resources
The MA Early Childhood Support Organization Initiative
Abt evaluated the delivery and impact of the MA ECSO initiative which helps early education leaders and educators improve the quality of their practice.
Spotlight On: Early Childhood Care and Education
The first five years of a child’s life comprise the most dynamic period for their physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. Children who experience developmentally, culturally, and linguistically responsive early childhood education programs are more likely to build a strong foundation for success in school and life.
Massachusetts Early Childhood Support Organization (ECSO) Year 3 Annual Evaluation Report
This report presents findings from the Massachusetts Early Childhood Support Organization (ECSO) ongoing implementation and impact evaluations.
Massachusetts Preschool Expansion Grant (PEG) Impact Evaluation Report
The Massachusetts Preschool Expansion Grant (PEG) model supported and expanded high-quality preschool in high-needs communities. PEG required shared governance between local school districts and Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care-licensed community-based programs. The 48 PEG classrooms provided free prekindergarten for four-year-olds from low-income families who were eligible for kindergarten the following year and who, with some exceptions, had not yet attended a formal child care program.As part of the PEG evaluation, this impact study found:On all three measures of early academic performance, PEG had a positive and statistically significant impact on children’s achievement, with the strongest impacts on the most vulnerable children.Exploratory analyses indicated that the impact of PEG was stronger for children in homes where English was not the primary language and for children who had not had prior child care exposure.Read the policy brief on PEG overall evaluation findings – October 2019