The Program Committee invited proposals for presentations at Head Start's 10th National Research
Conference. Both symposia and poster presentations were invited (see Conference Structure for more
information on presentation types). These presentations could either discuss recent research (published or
unpublished) or synthesize findings already in the literature.
The goals of the conference are to identify and disseminate research relevant to young children (birth to 8
years) and their families and to foster partnerships among researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers. The
conference focuses especially on research relevant to the low-income families who are Head Start's service
population.
As the third decade of Head Start research conferences begins, 45 years of Head Start contributions to the Nation and the world will be recognized. The theme of the 10th conference is sharing and using evidence of effective policies and practices for child development and families. In considering appropriate evidence for young children's learning and success across contexts, attention must be paid to nurturing environments that support children's growth in language, literacy, mathematics, science, social and emotional functioning, creative arts, physical skills, and approaches to learning. The conference will consider the applicability of evidence for diverse domains, settings, roles, parent involvement, and communities within the larger cultural system.
Research is welcome from all relevant fields including education, child development, psychology, sociology,
pediatrics, family medicine, public health, psychiatry, nursing, social work, dentistry, anthropology, law,
epidemiology, economics, and allied health. The focus will be on economically-disadvantaged children and their
families, and culturally relevant approaches tailored to the individual needs of children.
The 3-day conference will feature plenary sessions, symposia, poster symposia, conversation hours,
posters, and other informal events. To ensure program continuity, presenters are encouraged to participate in
the entire conference.
To download a hard copy of the Call for Presentations in PDF format click here.
To view the Call for Presentations in HTML format click here.