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 Early Care and Education Workforce of San Diego County
November 1, 2025 • Report • By Anna Powell, Wanzi Muruvi, Lea J.E. Austin, Abby Copeman Petig and Merzela Casimir
This report was generously funded by the YMCA of San Diego County, San Diego County Child Care and Development Local Planning Council, the UPK Mixed Delivery Planning Grant, and the…
State of the Early Care and Education Workforce – California
October 15, 2025 • Report • By Anna Powell, Wanzi Muruvi, Lea J.E. Austin and Abby Copeman Petig
This profile draws on data gathered in the 2025 California Early Care and Workforce Study, with funding from the Heising-Simons Foundation, Blue Shield of California…
State of the Early Care and Education Workforce – Ventura County, 2025
October 15, 2025 • Snapshot • By Anna Powell, Wanzi Muruvi, Lea J.E. Austin and Abby Copeman Petig
The 2025 California Early Care and Education Workforce Study was funded by the Heising-Simons Foundation, the Blue Shield of California Foundation, and Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Thank you to the…
State of the Early Education Workforce – Butte County, 2025
October 15, 2025 • Snapshot • By Anna Powell, Wanzi Muruvi, Lea J.E. Austin and Abby Copeman Petig
The 2025 California Early Care and Education Workforce Study was funded by the Heising-Simons Foundation, the Blue Shield of California Foundation, and Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Thank you to the…
The Early Care and Education Workforce of Central California
October 15, 2025 • Report • By Anna Powell, Wanzi Muruvi, Lea J.E. Austin and Abby Copeman Petig
This report was generously funded by the Office of the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, Kings County Office of Education, Madera County Superintendent of Schools, and the Child Care Planning…
State of the Early Care and Education Workforce – Humboldt County, 2025
October 15, 2025 • Snapshot • By Anna Powell, Wanzi Muruvi, Lea J.E. Austin and Abby Copeman Petig
The 2025 California Early Care and Education Workforce Study was funded by the Heising-Simons Foundation, the Blue Shield of California Foundation, and Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Thank you to the…