A research paper was recently published in the Early Childhood Research Quarterly that shows participation in the Missouri Parents as Teachers (PAT) parent education program is positively associated with third-grade math and English language arts proficiency. This research contributes to the literature on the importance of home visiting programs and is one of the few studies examining the effects of a voluntary, universal parent education program. Read the full PAT article here.
The research comes as PAT is celebrating 40 years! This program has an incredible history with the dedicated work of the founder Mildred Winter, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and Missouri legislators starting the program in every school district in Missouri. PAT made international news through television stations and key educational scientists in early childhood supporting the program.