The Chicago Program Evaluation Project was a collaborative effort toidentify strengths and weaknesses of the city's largest school- and center-based early care and education programs and guide improvements where needed.

This system-level evaluation was requested by Mayor Richard M. Daley, whose overall objective was to ensure that all children attending Chicago programs leave with the cognitive and social-emotional skills they need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. The Herr Research Center collaborated with Chicago's Department of Children and Youth Services (CYS, now housed within the Department of Family and Support Services) and the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to study the impact of early childhood programs. Findings were published in February 200.9

Planning for the evaluation began in early 2005 and continued through spring 2006.  CPS and CYS appointed 16 local early childhood experts, advocates, practitioners, and stakeholders to inform and advise the planning team in developing the timeline, costs, and research design for the study.  At the end of the planning process, Erikson Institute issued a request for proposals from independent contractors to implement the evaluation.  Mathematica Policy Institute was awarded the contract and began data collection in fall 2006.  Read more about the C-PEP project team.

Funding for the project was provided by CPS, CYS, and the McCormick Foundation.  The Joyce Foundation provided additional support for the work of three standing committees that will inform follow-up and application of findings to policy and program improvement.