The study, published in Frontiers in Education, analyzed data from 131 universal pre-Kindergarten sites between 2016 and 2019. By tracking responses from roughly 9,000 parents, researchers found that educators trained through ParentCorps received higher ratings for communication, trust, and leadership inclusivity compared to those who underwent standard professional development.

Lead author Spring R. Dawson-McClure of NYU Grossman School of Medicine noted that the program’s experiential model emphasizes reflection and mutual respect. Unlike traditional engagement efforts that focus solely on parent-led support, ParentCorps targets the school environment to foster culturally responsive relationships. With reach extending to cities including Detroit and Washington, DC, the initiative aims to scale these findings to help mitigate systemic inequality in early childhood education.