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
“I Could Not Afford to Continue”: Job Changes and Exits in Early Care and Education
May 7, 2024 • Data Snapshot • By Anna Powell, Wanzi Muruvi, Lea J.E. Austin and Abby Copeman Petig
This snapshot and the California ECE Workforce Study are generously supported by grants from the Heising-Simons Foundation and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Family child care (FCC) providers and…
The Professional Well-Being of Early Educators in California: Early Educator Well-Being Series
May 6, 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. Our…
March 12, 2024 • Report • By Anna Powell, Tobi Adejumo, Lea J.E. Austin and Abby Copeman Petig
This report was generously supported with grants from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. Despite its prolific nature, family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) care…
December 13, 2023 • 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. Our…
November 15, 2023 • Report • By Anna Powell, Wanzi Muruvi, Lea J.E. Austin and Abby Copeman Petig
This report was generously sponsored by First 5 Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County Office of Education. First 5 Los Angeles County partnered with the Center for the Study…
The Early Care and Education Workforce of Ventura County
November 15, 2023 • Report • By Anna Powell, Wanzi Muruvi, Lea J.E. Austin and Abby Copeman Petig
This report was generously sponsored by the Ventura County Office of Education and the Local Planning Council of Ventura County. Building on the California Early Care and Education (ECE) Workforce Study,…