Two-Generation Research Initiative

The Northwestern University Two-Generation Research Initiative examines the implementation and effectiveness of two-generation interventions. Two-generation educational approaches that target parents and children together represent a promising and innovative antipoverty strategy. These programs link intensive, high-quality education, job training, and career-building programs for low-income parents with early childhood education services for their young children. This approach to promoting the education of both generations simultaneously is gaining momentum across the United States and has led to a number of on-the-ground programs. IPR developmental psychologist P. Lindsay Chase-Lansdale, policy and program expert Teresa Eckrich Sommer, and their research team are at the forefront of developing two-generation theory and programmatic design, as well as studying the implementation and effectiveness of model two-generation programs. At present, they are leading two large-scale evaluations of a program in Tulsa, Oklahoma known as CareerAdvance® that uses Head Start and pre-kindergarten services as a platform for advancing parents’ workforce-applicable certification and degree attainment. The Northwestern University Two-Generation Research Initiative was recently featured on NPR in their story, "A Path out of Poverty: Career Training + Quality Pre-K." Teresa Eckrich Sommer was interviewed for the piece. Sommer presented initial impact findings of the CAP Family Life Study at Ascend at the Aspen Institute's "2Gen Practice Institute" in Tulsa, Oklahoma.