Longitudinal Explorations of Child Outcomes and Well-Being

Instructor(s):

• Gail Mulligan, National Center for Education Statistics
• Jill Walston, American Institutes for Research
• Paula Baker, Ohio State University
• Steve McClaskie, Ohio State University
• Holly Sexton, Institute for Social Research
• Donald Hernandez, State University of New York

This workshop is sponsored by the PreK-3rd Data Resource Center, with support from the Foundation for Child Development. It is designed as an introduction to key longitudinal datasets that can be used to analyze the development and progress of children from preschool years onward in multiple contexts and to investigate how these contexts shape children's potential to succeed in school and life.

The workshop will feature the following three datasets:

• Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998-1999
• National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1979: Child Surveys
• Panel Study of Income Dynamics, Child Development Supplement

Additional information about each of these datasets is available through the PreK-3rd Data Resource Center Web site.

Participants will receive instruction about each dataset, including key research questions, study design and methodology, strengths and limitations, considerations when using the data, how to construct data files to perform longitudinal multi-level analyses, and key findings. The workshop will feature one dataset per day, meeting for eight hours each day, which will be divided between classroom lecture and discussion and computer lab work during which students may explore the data through hands-on computer exercises. Participants are expected to have a basic understanding of secondary data, fundamental data analysis skills in SPSS, SAS, or Stata, and a substantive interest in the learning experiences and development of young children.

Enrollment in this workshop is limited. The target audience is graduate students, post-doctoral scholars, junior faculty/researchers and other researchers who are interested in using the featured secondary data for the analysis of child outcomes and well-being. Participants from all disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Admission: all applications must include a curriculum vita and cover letter summarizing research interests and experiences. Supporting materials can be submitted electronically through the Summer Program registration portal on each applicant's Summer Program page.

Stipends: a limited number of monetary awards to offset transportation, lodging and per diem expense are available. To be considered for one of these awards, applicants must indicate this in their cover letter.

Deadline: Applications are due May 1, 2009 and applicants will be notified of their acceptance to the workshop and funding award no later than May 15, 2009.

Dates:  June 22-24 

Fee:  There will be no tuition fees for accepted participants.

This course is limited to 20 participants.