In honor of Women's History Month 2025, Research Associate Dr. Kendall LaParo celebrates the contributions of women in early childhood education, highlighting her grandmother Mary Watters' influence and the broader impact of women educators in the field. Key points from the blog post: Women have been instrumental in developing early childhood education, overcoming societal barriers to champion child-centered learning. Approximately 97% of early childhood educators in the United States are women. Low compensation is the primary reason early childhood educators leave the field, as shown by recent RFA studies. High turnover rates (nearly 30% for Head Start teachers in 2021-22) negatively impact children's education and strain remaining educators. Dr. LaParo emphasizes the need for better compensation to reflect the importance of high-quality early education as it lays the foundation for a child's future learning, development, and overall well-being.

At the recent Stand Up for Science event in Philadelphia, RFA’s Senior Research Director Dr. Alyn Turner emphasized the critical role that robust scientific research plays in shaping a healthy democracy. These events, held across the country on March 7, 2025, highlighted concerns about threats to scientific research, including funding cuts and political interference.

“I've seen firsthand how scientific research in schools and districts can drive innovation, inform policy decisions, and ensure that progress in education is based on evidence, not ideology,” she stated. But recent funding cuts are threatening to undermine the integrity of scientific inquiry—and that affects us all. That's why it's essential for local leaders, educators, and scientists to come together around policies that support independent research, demand transparency in data, and provide every student the opportunity to thrive.

Are you ready to take your financial expertise to the next level while driving impactful change in education? Research for Action is looking for a Senior Director of Finance to join our team and lead our financial strategy, management, and reporting. This is a unique opportunity to combine your financial acumen with a passion for advancing educational equity and systems change.

As the Senior Director of Finance, you'll be a key member of RFA's leadership team, reporting directly to the Executive Director. From strategic financial planning to leading audits and mentoring a high-performing finance team, your work will ensure the financial health and sustainability of our organization. If you're excited by the opportunity to oversee complex budgets, work within a mission-driven nonprofit, and contribute to meaningful organizational impact, we want to hear from you!

Get started on our Careers Page.

And if you know someone for whom this role would be a perfect fit, please forward this newsletter to them.