Program History
BEEP was founded in 1972 in collaboration with Children’s Hospital of Boston, as a research project called the Brookline Early Education Project. The educators and researchers working on this project sought to identify the components of a high quality early education program, and if attendance in preschool/pre-kindergarten had a long term impact on students’ future success. This longitudinal study was funded by generous grants from the Carnegie Mellon and Robert Wood Johnson Foundations. Final results indicated that attendance in a high quality early childhood program has a significant positive impact on children’s future academic success, as well as on other life variables including being a registered voter! Furthermore, the research identified the following three characteristics as critical components of a high quality early education program:
- Direct instruction in social competency,
- Emphasis on developing strong organization and problem solving skills,
- The presence of strong partnerships with families.
BEEP’s early emphasis on inclusion, family engagement, and social-emotional development anticipated many of the practices now recognized as essential in high-quality early childhood education. The research underscores the lasting impact of early intervention and the importance of addressing children’s mental health, family support, and broader social contexts.
Explore the research to learn more about the history of BEEP and the ongoing study that is the foundation of our philosophy and mission: