Current Activities/Projects

Simulating K-12 Financing Decisions

Researchers at HSPC are developing a simulation cost modeling tool linking their school finance policies to student achievement goals. HSPC's model enables policy makers to test different mixes of staffing, class and school size, professional development, pre-K, enrichment, and other instructional expenses, plus non-instructional expenses such as social and health services and administration. By comparing different approaches, we can identify key components that support and enhance improved student performance.

Education Finance: Birth to 12th Grade:

Recent advances in developmental neurobiology have taught us that children are learning from the time they are born. With this in mind, HSPC is pursuing two lines of analysis about education:

• Financing quality early care and education, with a focus on children from birth to age 5.
• Financing quality education from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade

Estimating the Cost of a High Quality Early Care and Education System for a State or Local Area: Simplified Approach

HSPC has developed a Policy Simulation Model (PSM) for estimating the costs of providing financial access to high quality Early Care and Education (ECE) services. For more information about a simplified approach for estimating the costs of a high quality ECE services for your state or local area click here.

Strengthening Informal Care for Young Children:

In an effort to support low-income grandmothers who care for infants and toddlers, HSPC has partnered with the UW's Department of Family and Child Nursing to implement and evaluate a program to increase the skills and knowledge of adults caring for children from birth to age 3.

Profiling Child and Family Well-Being:

In addition to Washington Kids Count's annual State of Washington's Children and County and City Profiles of Child and Family Well-Being, HSPC produces focused analyses of specific populations such as rural communities, children of color, and at-risk youth.

An Ongoing Program of Policy Forums:

Policy Forums that encourage communication among professionals, policymakers, and citizens.