Overview
This Research Brief series highlights lessons learned regarding early care and education Cost Models. The series highlights findings from a review of 25 local and state cost models and reports, as well as lessons learned from a survey to cost modelers, and a survey and focus groups with state and local leaders. This research was conducted Summer 2025 through Winter 2025.
The goal of the study was to determine the commonalities and differences across models for the purpose of informing the development of a set of guidelines for the field. We additionally sought to better understand the impact of cost models and lessons learned from local and state leaders having commissioned these models.
Together, this Research Brief series highlights the findings and implications from this research, as well as a series of recommendations for the field. This Cost Modeling Research Brief series includes five briefs, including:
- Research Brief Overview: An Analysis of Cost Models
- Research Brief 1: How Greater Transparency Can Further Support Equity
- Research Brief 2: Scope, Sequence and Data Collection Methods
- Research Brief 3: Parameters and Details Provided within Reports
- Research Brief 4: The Impact of Cost Models