Researcher Spotlight

Alexandra Daro,
Buffett Early Childhood Institute

Alexandra Daro is a research specialist at the Buffett Early Childhood Institute.

Her research interests include early literacy development, preschool expulsion and suspension and equitable access to early learning.

What is the future direction for your early childhood research?
"In my work at the Buffett Institute, I utilize the data sets that fall under the purview of the PDG Needs Assessment to support the projects funded through PDG. I see my work acting in service to practitioners and researchers who are directly impacting early childhood care and education by increasing access to high-quality care and needed services and through the alignment of ECCE systems throughout the state."

Are there any new research projects or activities you are starting on?
"I recently applied for an AERA research grant to build upon my dissertation work looking at connections between parents’ perceptions of the importance of school readiness behaviors and their decision to delay school entry for their children. My dissertation findings suggested that Latent Class Analysis can be used to identify distinct classes of parents using their ratings of the importance of school readiness behaviors, and that those classes can be used to predict both parents’ decisions and children’s outcomes. I want to look at these connections longitudinally and apply a similar methodology to parents’ transition practices."

What is a strength of early childhood research at the University of Nebraska?
"I have a somewhat unique perspective on this question because of the way the Institute approaches working with each of the University of Nebraska campuses. There is an incredible depth and breadth to the early childhood research that is conducted across each of the campuses. All of that research contributes to a more complete understanding of the developing child, including the contexts in which children develop. The Institute draws from that knowledge to support all the work we do, from understanding the importance of a well workforce, to the necessity of high-quality care and education, to the important role school districts play in supporting families."

Contact Alexandra at adaro@nebraska.edu.


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