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Testing the structure-process-outcome model across different early care and education policy contexts.
Cara L Kelly1, Anamarie A Whitaker2, Margaret Burchinal3
1Early Childhood Education Institute, University of Oklahoma-Tulsa.
Early care and education (ECE) policies improved structural quality, but the structure-process-outcome model linking structural elements to child outcomes needs refinement. Current quality measures did not predict academic or behavioral results.
Area of Science:
- Early Childhood Education
- Developmental Psychology
- Educational Policy
Background:
- The prevailing structure-process-outcome model in early care and education (ECE) posits that structural quality (e.g., child-adult ratio) influences teacher-child interactions, which in turn affect child development.
- This model was developed when ECE quality standards were minimal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the validity of the structure-process-outcome model across different eras of ECE policy and quality standards.
- To examine the relationship between structural quality, process quality, and child developmental outcomes using longitudinal data.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of four large, longitudinal early childhood datasets spanning 30 years.
- Examination of associations between structural quality indicators (child-adult ratio, teacher education) and observed classroom quality.
- Assessment of the relationship between process quality and children's academic and behavioral outcomes.
Main Results:
- Structural quality indicators were associated with classroom quality during periods of minimal regulation but not when regulations mandated higher standards.
- No significant relationships were found between process quality, as measured by common assessments, and children's preschool academic or behavioral outcomes.
- Findings indicate that as structural quality has improved due to policy changes, the original model may no longer fully capture the dynamics of ECE.
Conclusions:
- The traditional structure-process-outcome model requires re-evaluation in light of improved structural quality in ECE.
- Future research and policy should consider refining theoretical models to better reflect current ECE standards and their impact on child development.
- The study highlights the need for updated measures and theoretical frameworks to assess ECE effectiveness.

