ideas at work

Local plans and initiatives

A proposal for achieving high returns on early childhood development
Proposes permanent scholarship fund for at-risk children in combination with parent mentoring program.
Minnesota Early Learning Foundation (MELF)
Testing most cost-effective ways to ensure all young children have opportunities to develop intellectually, socially and emotionally.
Minnesota Governor’s Summit on School Readiness 2006
Outlines qualities of effective programs to increase school readiness and to boost the impact of these programs on the targeted children.
The BUILD Initiative in Minnesota/Ready4K
Help build a coordinated system of cost-effective programs, policies and services that are responsive tofamilies and effective in preparing young children for a successful future.

Research-based strategies

Listed below are proven, effective strategies linked to reports that provide data and information about how the strategies were implemented.

Access to health care (2)
- Smart investments in Minnesota's students: A research-based investment proposal
  Growth & Justice, October 2008, 32 pp.
  Shows how to apply what is known about cost-effective investments in education to address a looming shortage of educated workers that could undermine the state’s economic well being.
- Improving children's health: Understanding children's health disparities and promising approaches to address them
  Children's Defense Fund, June 2006, 85 pp.
  Provides an overview of health disparities and determinants of health outcomes, specifically focusing on children's health. It includes data from the National Health Interview Survey, and strategies to reduce disparities.
Family involvement in learning (3)
- Smart investments in Minnesota's students: A research-based investment proposal
  Growth & Justice, October 2008, 32 pp.
  Shows how to apply what is known about cost-effective investments in education to address a looming shortage of educated workers that could undermine the state’s economic well being.
- The transition to kindergarten: A review of current research and promising practices to involve families
  Harvard Family Research Project, April 2004, 10 pp.
  A review of research on the transition to kindergarten, focusing on promising transition practices and the role that schools might play in their implementation.
- Families as primary partners in their child's development and school readiness
  Annie E. Casey Foundation, January 2004, 162 pp.
  Tool kit includes key strategies and promising practices for parents that will assist communities in working with families as primary partners in their child’s development and school readiness
High-quality preschool learning environment (3)
- Smart investments in Minnesota's students: A research-based investment proposal
  Growth & Justice, October 2008, 32 pp.
  Shows how to apply what is known about cost-effective investments in education to address a looming shortage of educated workers that could undermine the state’s economic well being.
- Early childhood interventions: Proven results, future promise
  RAND, December 2005, 201 pp.
  A review and synthesis of research that addresses the potential for various forms of early childhood intervention to improve outcomes for participating children and their families.
- Early childhood indicators of progress: Minnesota's early learning standards
  Minnesota State Department of Education and Department of Human Services, January 2005, 68 pp.
  Provides a resource for community members and policymakers to use in assessing the impact of current policies and resources on the optimal development of young children.
Home visiting (2)
- Smart investments in Minnesota's students: A research-based investment proposal
  Growth & Justice, October 2008, 32 pp.
  Shows how to apply what is known about cost-effective investments in education to address a looming shortage of educated workers that could undermine the state’s economic well being.
- Early childhood interventions: Proven results, future promise
  RAND, December 2005, 201 pp.
  A review and synthesis of research that addresses the potential for various forms of early childhood intervention to improve outcomes for participating children and their families.
Parent intervention programs (1)
- Lessons from family-strengthening interventions
  Harvard Family Research Project, October 2006, 21 pp.
  Highlights the best program and evaluation practices of family-strengthening intervention programs.