Meet the Research Teams:
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
"We have an opportunity to look at differences across rural and urban areas in the state of Nebraska, and understand the policies and practices that influence children's learning."

– Susan Sheridan, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln's research studies are taking place in 12 rural communities and two urban communities in Nebraska.

Policy and Practice Study:
Researchers will assess federal, state and local early childhood education policies, as well as local practices across rural and urban settings, determining how policy and practice are associated with prekindergarten through third grade outcomes.

Classroom Observation Study:
Researchers will study classroom practices and processes, identifying malleable factors that differentiate child outcomes across rural and urban communities. They will also explore how rural and urban community settings moderate the association between practices and child outcomes.

Longitudinal Study:
Researchers will determine the effects of malleable factors on children’s academic and social-emotional outcomes, specifically examining transition periods across the PreK-3 continuum and effects on long-term developmental trajectories. They will also assess whether malleable factors in and between classrooms and homes successfully narrow the achievement gap over time for children from disadvantaged backgrounds living in urban and rural community settings.
About the Team
Susan Sheridan, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Lisa Knoche, Ph.D.
Co-Principal Investigator
University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Iheoma Iruka, Ph.D.
Co-Principal Investigator
HighScope Educational Research Foundation

James Bovaird, Ph.D.
Co-Principal Investigator
University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Mark DeKraai, Ph.D.
Co-Principal Investigator
University of Nebraska Public Policy Center

Amanda Witte, Ph.D.
Investigator
University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Natalie Koziol Ph.D.
Investigator
University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Janell Walther, Ph.D.
Investigator
University of Nebraska Public Policy Center

Bonnie Mackintosh Ph.D.
Post-doctoral Fellow
University of Nebraska–Lincoln

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