MELF is investing approximately $4 million to conduct research and evaluation of the MELF portfolio of projects in order to inform a set of cost-effective policy and funding recommendations for the early care and education system in Minnesota. The MELF’s conceptual framework lays out the logic underlying all our projects. We expect our investments to improve school readiness outcomes by affecting children and families, early care and education programs, communities and the early childhood system. Our overarching research questions fall into those four levels of impact.

By the time the MELF initiative ends in 2011, evaluation results across many projects will include knowledge about what works best - and most cost-effectively – to promote school readiness in children from low income families or families facing other challenges.