Resources
CELS’ resources provide curated tools, research, and implementation supports across our priority areas. Resources are selected to help state, district, and regional leaders translate evidence into practice and apply strategies on the ground across PK-3 early learning systems.
Our resources include research-informed guidance, practical tools, and examples from implementation across states and communities. Whether exploring new approaches or strengthening existing initiatives, these resources are designed to support planning, decision-making, and continuous improvement across the PK–3 continuum.
Research Briefs
Research and guidance for learning across the PK-3 continuum
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State of the Field Research Briefs provide a clear, practical synthesis of current research across each of the CELS priority areas. Each brief synthesizes current research, highlights bright spots of implementation and promising practices from states, districts, and schools and programs, and provides actionable recommendations for state and local education leaders, practitioners, and families:
Series 1 provides the research for each priority area to build shared knowledge and understanding of early learning across the PK-3 continuum and will launch in April 2026.
Bright Spot Briefs
Promising practices and community-led innovations across PK-3
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State of the Field Bright Spot Briefs highlight community-led innovations and promising practices across the PK-3 learning settings across the country. They lift up examples of what’s working to support learning and success in the early grades.
In addition to being featured through briefs and webinars, bright spot sites will be a part of a growing national network of innovators. These sites will serve as learning resources for districts and schools engaged in CELS targeted technical assistance and may function as demonstration sites for peer learning, site visits, and cross-system exchange.
Bright Spot Briefs will launch in May 2026.
Practice Briefs
Turning research into action in the early grades
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State of the Field Practice Briefs translate research into actionable, clear, practical guidance that supports implementation in classrooms, schools, and communities. They are designed to help education leaders, practitioners, and families apply evidence-based approaches in ways that fit their daily work.
Practice Briefs will launch in April 2026.
Research Brief: Parent and Family Partnerships to Support Regular Attendance
Explore current research on how parent and family partnerships support regular attendance across the preschool through Grade 3 (PK–3) continuum. This research brief highlights how trust, shared power, belonging, and shared understanding can strengthen partnerships and help create the conditions that make regular attendance possible.
Practice Brief: Parent and Family Partnerships to Support Regular Attendance
Discover practical strategies for moving beyond attendance notifications to listen, learn, and partner with parents and families. This Practice Brief explores how relationship-building, two-way communication, and shared problem-solving can help schools and families understand attendance challenges and create the conditions that make regular attendance possible.
Bright Spot Brief: Parent and Family Partnerships to Support Regular Attendance
Explore promising approaches to strengthening parent and family partnerships and supporting regular attendance in Kansas City, Kansas; Rhode Island; and Connecticut. This Bright Spot Brief shares practical examples and lessons for using relationships, family partnership, data, and coordinated supports to address barriers and help make regular attendance possible.
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Webinars
Learning across the PK-3 continuum webinar series.
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Office Hours
Collaborative learning and implementation support.
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Training & Technical Assistance
Capacity-building tools, training, and support.