What is TransformED?
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s TransformED (“ED” is one syllable) is a collaborative research initiative aimed at promoting children’s social and emotional development by enhancing early childhood education services, strengthening connections across systems and supporting the workforce. This work builds on the strengths of educators and families.
Why is This Work Needed?
- Nebraska’s early childhood workforce is in crisis — with high burnout and turnover rates. Educators need innovative supports to promote their well-being and give children the best education and care possible.
- All young children, especially those facing adversity, need high-quality care and education that prioritizes their social and emotional well-being. Building these skills helps them thrive as adults.
- Children learn and grow best when families, educators and communities understand the importance of nurturing social and emotional development for lifelong success.
Who is Involved?
University, state and community partners are working together to address Nebraska’s early childhood education challenges in partnership with program administrators and classroom educators statewide.
TransformED offers support for:
- Early childhood educators
- Early childhood researchers
- Families with children birth to age 8
What We Do
TransformED’s collaborative partners use a comprehensive, aligned and coordinated approach to promote sustainable change in Nebraska’s early childhood systems. Our work focuses on the following:
Innovative Practices
We are building capacity among early childhood educators and streamlining the implementation of evidence-based interventions.
Assessment
We are developing an innovative, assessment tool to measure children’s social and emotional skills and generate meaningful data for educators.
Collaboration & Community
We are providing opportunities for professional collaboration, connecting various partners in early childhood education and engaging with communities.
How We Do It
TransformED’s mission is driven by four key goals:
- Coalesce Expertise and Resources: Bring together Nebraska’s expertise and resources in early childhood research, practice and policy to sustain this work in the future.
- Build Educators’ Competencies and Skills: Provide innovative tools and training to enhance educators’ well-being and capacity to deliver evidence-based practices that build children’s social and emotional skills.
- Retain a Strong Workforce: Help maintain a strong early childhood workforce to provide consistent, nurturing experiences for all children, especially those experiencing adversity.
- Foster Community Partnerships and Awareness: Strengthen collaboration and engagement across communities to raise awareness of the need to support Nebraska’s early childhood educators and prioritize children’s social and emotional development.