As Research Director, Abby leads the research and policy team. She guides proposal development, oversees research design implementation, and coordinates the release of findings with the goal of improving policy and practice that affect early educators. Prior to her role as Research Director, Abby led the Center’s work exploring the preparation of early educators through the Early Childhood Higher Education Inventory series of studies. Abby has more than a decade of experience in the early childhood research and policy fields in both non-profit and academic settings, including extensive experience with program evaluation and secondary data analysis. Before joining CSCCE in 2016, Abby co-authored several briefs on the topics of child care, school readiness, and quality rating for the Child and Family Policy Center in Iowa. Abby earned a master’s degree in Applied Child Development and Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University and a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from Iowa State University. In her free time, Abby tries to keep up with her energetic family and directs a youth volleyball club.
Publications by Abby Copeman Petig
The Impact of Pandemic Relief Funds on California’s Early Care and Education Programs and Workforce
February 11, 2025 • Report • By Wanzi Muruvi, Refujio Gonzalez, Anna Powell and Abby Copeman Petig
This report was generously supported with grants from the Heising-Simons Foundation, the Blue Shield of California Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Federal…
The Early Care and Education Workforce of Stanislaus County
January 23, 2025 • Report • By Anna Powell, Wanzi Muruvi and Abby Copeman Petig
This report was generously supported by the Stanislaus County Office of Education. Building on the California Early Care and Education (ECE) Workforce Study, this report provides a snapshot of the…
2024 Profiles of California Early Care and Education Programs: Enrollment and Staffing Trends
January 15, 2025 • Data Snapshot • By Anna Powell, Wanzi Muruvi, Lea J.E. Austin and Abby Copeman Petig
This report was generously supported with grants from the Heising-Simons Foundation, the Blue Shield of California Foundation, and First 5 California. Challenges with early care and education (ECE) enrollment and…
California Early Educator Experience and Interest in Teaching Birth to Three
December 10, 2024 • Data Snapshot • By Anna Powell, Wanzi Muruvi, Abby Copeman Petig and Lea J.E. Austin
This report was generously supported with grants from the Heising-Simons Foundation, the Blue Shield of California Foundation, and First 5 California. California will soon offer transitional kindergarten (TK) to all…
Designing a Wage Increase Pilot: A Framework for Supporting Early Educators in Contra Costa County
November 13, 2024 • Report • By Anna Powell, Caitlin McLean and Abby Copeman Petig
The pilot design project was funded by First 5 Contra Costa. Guaranteed income (GI) pilots are increasing in popularity in cities and counties nationwide to improve compensation for early educators.
The Economic Well-Being of Early Educators in California: Early Educator Well-Being Series
October 23, 2024 • Report • By Wanzi Muruvi, Anna Powell, Yoonjeon Kim, Abby Copeman Petig and Lea J.E. Austin
This report was generously supported with grants from the Heising-Simons Foundation, the Blue Shield of California Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Early…