This paper summarizes the findings of research on preschool education. It also offers a few ideas on improving early education programs and reasons for implementing universal preschool.

• Morgan, H. (2019). Does high-quality preschool benefit children? What the research shows. Education Sciences, 9. http://search.ebscohost.com.libauth.purdueglobal.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ1211910&site=eds-live

The Center for American Progress created this document that highlights why quality matters, what it looks like, and how states monitor quality.

• Center for American Progress. (2017). Quality 101: Identifying the core components of a high-quality early childhood program. https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/early-childhood/reports/2017/02/13/414939/quality-101-identifying-the-core-components-of-a-high-quality-early-childhood-program/

This article highlights the leadership styles that can transform schools.

• The Edvocate. (2016). 5 leadership styles that can transform education as we know it. https://www.theedadvocate.org/5-leadership-styles-that-can-transform-education-as-we-know-it/

Here you will read about the five stages of professional development.

• Reading Rockets (n.d.). Five phases of professional development. https://www.readingrockets.org/article/five-phases-professional-development

This article highlights important steps to advance the professional development of an early childhood professional.

• National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2018). Eight steps to advance your professional development in early childhood education . https://www.naeyc.org/resources/blog/eight-ways-professionalize-workforce

This article highlights the Core Professional Competencies of an early childhood professional.

• National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2019). Becoming your best: Building professional competencies . https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/tyc/dec2019/building-professional-competencies

This article describes how to plan, implement, and sustain a high-quality early childhood professional development system that is intentional, ongoing, coherent, collaborative, relevant and responsive.

• Connecticut Office of Early Childhood by Early Childhood Associates. (2016). High quality early childhood professional development systems: Helping every child to be successful. http://ceelo.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/PD-Quality-and-PD-Systems-Paper.pdf

This article highlights information to assist you in determining the core elements of a high-quality early childhood program.

• Workman, S. & Ullrich, R. (2017). Quality 101: Identifying the core components of a high-quality early childhood program. https://cdn.americanprogress.org/content/uploads/2017/02/10063958/QualityEarlyChildhood101-brief.pdf
• https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/building-blocks-high-quality-early-childhood-education-programs