The Research Advisory Group was started in 2012 in support of the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge grant. The Group serves in an advisory capacity to MSDE’s Division of Early Childhood Development (DECD) and the Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC) in such a manner as to help further its mission.
The Group’s membership consists of a total of 30 individuals best qualified to advise the State on its research issues and a research agenda, as nominated by Research Advisory Group members, and approved by the majority of the Group. Membership consists of MSDE staff, early childhood experts from local universities and research organizations, advocates and representatives of practitioner organizations.
As a part of its responsibilities, the Group receives briefings on DECD initiatives and policies, advises the Division and Council of the most important research issues concerning Division initiatives, and aids the Division in developing and maintaining a research agenda that will inform potential Division policies and initiatives and help evaluate existing programs and policies. The group also assists in the planning of the Early Childhood Care and Education Research Forum, a one day event centered on the latest in early childhood research.
Membership Information
Meeting notes, current and archived, are available here.