Pennsylvania Selected to Participate in the Action Research Partnership Initiative

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is excited to announce that Pennsylvania has been chosen as one of three states to participate in the National ECE Workforce Center’s Action Research Partnership — a yearlong initiative to drive meaningful systems change for the early childhood education (ECE) workforce. Through this opportunity, the OCDEL will reimagine Pennsylvania’s ECE Career Pathway in collaboration with providers and in direct response to feedback from the field.

This initiative is a direct response to what has been heard from ECE professionals across Pennsylvania.  Providers, educators, and community stakeholders have voiced the importance of honoring experience, reducing barriers to advancement, and recognizing the full scope of skills and roles within the field.

The goal? To create a more comprehensive, flexible, and supportive system that recognizes the true value and complexity of the ECE profession.

This effort builds on work already underway, including human-centered design workshops, extensive community engagement, and insights from OCDEL’s recent workforce study.

As part of the Action Research Partnership, OCDEL will receive targeted support, collaborate with national peers, and work closely with a dedicated Change Team of state leaders, educators, and partners across sectors. Together, we’re committed to building a system that centers the voices of early educators, supporting recruitment, retention, and long-term growth in ECE across the Commonwealth.

Stay tuned for more updates as this important work continues—shaped by your feedback, driven by your insights, and built for the future of Pennsylvania’s ECE workforce.