Renowned education researcher Dr Scott McConnell joins Primrose Schools’ Early Learning Council
Primrose Schools, a provider of early education and care in the United States, has announced that Dr. Scott McConnell has joined its Early Learning Council.
The council, comprising nationally recognised experts, collaborates with the Primrose Education team to ensure their Balanced Learning approach aligns with the latest early learning research and maintains high-quality standards.
Dr. Scott McConnell brings over 40 years of experience in education and research, focusing on preschool and early elementary education. His career includes roles as a teacher, program director, researcher, and professor.
He is currently a professor emeritus of educational psychology at the University of Minnesota, where he specialises in assessment and interventions for language and early literacy development. Dr. McConnell has been part of a multi-university team that developed Individual Growth and Development Indicators and has researched their application in preschool settings.
Dr. Amy Jackson, Chief Early Learning Strategy Officer at Primrose Schools, stated:
"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. McConnell to the Early Learning Council. Dr. McConnell is a pioneer in early childhood assessment and will play a critical role in helping us stay on the leading edge of tracking and evaluating development skills and competencies during a child's critical first five years."
Dr. McConnell's research focuses on children's pathways to becoming proficient readers and the effectiveness of systematic interventions, such as multi-tiered systems of support, in helping all children achieve this goal.
In addition to Dr. McConnell, the current Early Learning Council members include:
Dr. Kathy Trundle, Professor of Elementary Education at Utah State University
Dr. Carol Donovan, Professor of Literacy Education at the University of Alabama and Director of the Belser Parton Literacy Center
Dr. Sandra Linder, Professor of Early Childhood Mathematics Education at Clemson University
Dr. Laura Jana, Associate Research Professor at Penn State, and a paediatrician, educator, health communicator, and award-winning author
Dr. Douglas Bell, Professor of Early Childhood Education at Kennesaw State University
Dr. Jennifer Sutton McDonel, Associate Professor of Music and Director of Music Education for Early Childhood at Radford University
Rebecca Parlakian, Senior Director of Programs at Zero to Three, overseeing projects related to child development, parenting, and high-quality teaching
Dr. Gloria Julius, Consultant with over 30 years of experience in early education administration
Dr McConnell said of the appointment:
"I am hounored to join the Early Learning Council and bring my expertise in early childhood assessment. Primrose has an industry-leading approach that is constantly innovating to meet the needs and opportunities of Primrose students.”
