Pathways to Advancement in Colorado’s Early Childhood Workforce

Nursery children playing with teacher in the classroom

Using linked administrative data to understand how education and experience contribute to career growth

Client

Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families
Dates

September 2024 – March 2026

Problem

Colorado policymakers and administrators lack clear information about how to develop and retain a highly qualified early childhood workforce.

Parents, policymakers, and advocates agree on the importance of highly qualified early childhood educators. In Colorado, educators follow a wide range of training and employment paths, shaped by varying credential requirements and program structures. Policymakers and administrators need better evidence to understand which combinations of education, experience, and credentials are most effective in supporting advancement and retention. This project responds to that need by examining how different pathways influence outcomes for early childhood educators, with the goal of informing practical strategies to strengthen the workforce.

Solution

NORC is analyzing linked data to identify the experiences that support advancement in early childhood careers.

NORC, in partnership with the Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab, is conducting a comprehensive analysis of administrative data to explore how early childhood educators in Colorado move through their careers. The project uses linked data from the state’s workforce registry, wage records, and higher education systems to examine how job roles, credentials, and training relate to promotion and wage growth. NORC’s approach combines descriptive statistics, regression modeling, and sequence analysis to uncover patterns that will help state leaders and program administrators design and support effective pathways for these professionals.

Result

This research will deliver actionable insights to help strengthen Colorado’s early childhood workforce.

This project will provide new insights into how early childhood professionals advance in their careers and what factors contribute to success and retention in the field. Results will be shared with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood and other stakeholders through the state’s Early Childhood Workforce Evidence-Building Hub. The findings will inform decisions about degree programs, credentialing pathways, and workforce supports. By identifying the most effective routes to advancement and retention, the project will help build a more stable and experienced early childhood workforce—benefiting children, families, and providers across the state.