Abstract
This chapter advocates the use of holistic measurement to both track and enhance progress towards SDG 4.2. Early childhood requires a more multi-faceted lens than other sectors, necessitating multi-dimensional assessment, policies and solutions. Because the pre-primary education field is comprised of a variety of public and private actors in many countries, rigorous evidence offers a route to facilitating dialogue about quality and efficacy. Emerging key points are (i) Holism in measurement helps ensure supports for academic and non-academic skills to inform practice and policy that promotes optimization of children’s development; (ii) Rigorous holistic assessment alongside home environment information can test solutions to ensuring access and quality early childhood opportunities for all children; and (iii) Development of context-specific rigorous, holistic evidence drives local collaboration, policy and practice.
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Dowd, A.J., Pisani, L., Hsiao, C. (2018). Optimizing Early Childhood Potential for All: Pursuing Holism in Measurement, Policy, and Practice. In: Verma, S., Petersen, A. (eds) Developmental Science and Sustainable Development Goals for Children and Youth. Social Indicators Research Series, vol 74. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96592-5_20
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