- Analyze and evaluate the local outcomes and use of the EDI. Sys-
tematically assess the outcomes and effectiveness of ECD efforts,
as indicated by the EDI. Also address particular issues regarding
use of the EDI locally. These might include, for example, the age
or grade-level of assessment, the type of individuals (teachers/
surveyors) administering the EDI, and the value of the EDI as a
measure of school readiness and/or children’s vulnerability.
Potential Benefits
The evidence we have now—from scientists, policymakers, and prac-
titioners—is clear. ECD programs have high returns for individuals,
families, and societies. By being able to measure the population ef-
fects of early child development and the outcomes of ECD programs,
we can accumulate results-based data to leverage ECD policy, increase
ECD investments, and direct funding to support proven, targeted,
and/or scaled-up ECD efforts. At local and national levels, the data
may well serve to stimulate efforts to improve the health, well-being,
and competence of populations.
The quality of a population hinges on the development of its chil-
dren—which underpins broader human development and overall
economic growth and progress. If countries cannot improve the qual-
ity of their populations in all sectors of society, then the world’s ex-
periments in civilization may falter (Mustard 2006). There simply
have to be substantial ECD investments in communities, beginning
beforechildren enter the school system.
In a global, interdependent world, all nations—developing and in-
dustrialized—need to embrace enlightened family and institutional
policies and unprecedented investments in human capital (Green-
span and Shanker 2006). The global workplace favors individuals
who have intellectual flexibility, problem-solving skills, emotional re-
silience, and capacity to work with others in a continually changing
and highly competitive economic environment. The need to maxi-
mize human potential has never been greater.
Countries around the world now have a special opportunity,
in the new millennium and information age, to promote the full
Measuring Child Development to Leverage ECD Policy and Investment 287