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 Forgotten Ones”—The Economic Well-Being of Early Educators During COVID-19
February 16, 2022 • Brief • By Anna Powell, Raúl Chávez, Lea J.E. Austin, Elena Montoya, Yoonjeon Kim and Abby Copeman Petig
This report provides a closer look at the well-being of the early care and education (ECE) workforce in California, using data collected by the Center for the Study of Child…
June 23, 2021 • Blog • By Abby Copeman Petig and Jenna Knight
Teaching the Teachers of Our Youngest Children: The State of Early Childhood Higher Education in Maryland is CSCCE’s most recent Higher Education Inventory study. This report looks at…
Maryland Early Childhood Higher Education Inventory
May 4, 2021 • Report • By Bethany Edwards, Abby Copeman Petig and Lea J.E. Austin
This report is part of our Early Childhood Higher Education Inventory. This report describes the early childhood degree programs offered in Maryland, focusing on variations in program…
December 19, 2019 • Report • By Abby Copeman Petig, Raúl Chávez and Lea J.E. Austin
Ensuring that early educators have the skills, knowledge, and experiences necessary to implement effective practices and the access to education that provides wage improvement remains critical. Quality improvement…
December 4, 2019 • Blog • By Abby Copeman Petig and Caitlin McLean
Research is clear that early educators play a central role in facilitating learning and development among children birth to age five. Yet a gap exists between our understanding of…
Understanding Many Languages: Preparing Early Educators to Teach Dual Language Learners
October 24, 2018 • Brief • By Abby Copeman Petig, Lea J.E. Austin and Allyson Dean
Understanding Many Languages: Preparing Early Educators to Teach Dual Language Learners calls attention to key findings related to preparing early educators to support the development and learning of the growing…