Early Education Program Racial and Ethnic Composition and Associations with Quality and Children’s Language and Social-Emotional Development

ABSTRACT This study identified patterns of classroom and family experiences and developmental outcomes for young children in segregated early education. This study is based on data from a high-quality early education program serving young children from low-income households in 19 schools across the U.S. The sample included 1,521 children during the 2016–2017 school year. The analysis examined patterns of association between the racial/ethnic composition of Educare sites and family risk factors, classroom quality, and children’s language and social-emotional performance and growth across the academic year. Research Findings: Findings indicated that although classroom quality, measured through traditional tools, did not vary by school racial/ethnic composition, sociodemographic risk factors, children’s language and social-emotional outcomes did vary by this variable. Practice or Policy: We discuss our results in relation to promotive and inhibitive processed within and outside early education programs, as well as the continued impact of structural equities and lack of culturally responsive pedagogy on children’s learning opportunities and development.