Summary
Albeit science is clear in its support for early childhood, the developmental outcomes for young children, globally, are poor. It is hypothesized that evidence-based policies may be a potential mediator of the application of science to improve the lives and well-being of young children. However, the question arises — at what stage of policy formulation can evidence be infused into the process? The aim of the present study was to test the applicability of the infusion of evidence into the very initial stages of policy development by using a systematic analytical approach. A policy analysis and review protocol, generated from the early childhood and social policy science literatures, was applied to the early childhood (ECD) policy formulation for Lao PDR. The results of the analysis indicated, that while several certain aspects of ECD are addressed in the country, notable gaps need to be addressed. The analysis resulted in a set of recommendations to inform the subsequent stage of policy development. The application of this analytical methodology to use evidence to inform policy, the advantages, challenges and issues for further consideration are discussed in this paper.
Résumé
Quoique la science soit claire comme soutien aux jeunes enfants, les résultats sur le développement des petits enfants sont, globalement, pauvres. On a élaboré une hypothèse qui signale que les politiques basées sur des évidences peuvent être un médiateur potentiel de l’application de la science pour améliorer la vie et le bien-être des petits. Cependant, la question se pose: À quelle étape de la formulation des politiques, l’évidence peut-elle être infusée dans le processus? L’objectif de cette étude est d’examiner l’applicabilité de l’infusion de l’évidence dans les étapes très initiales du développement des politiques en employant une approche analytique systématique. Un protocole d’analyse et révision, généré de la littérature sur la petite enfance et la science politique sociale a été appliqué à la formulation de politiques d’éducation préscolaire (ECE) pour la République Démocratique Populaire (RDP) Lao. Les résultats du tel analyse ont indiqué que tandis que plusieurs certains aspects de l’ECE sont abordés dans le pays, des disparités notables doivent être adressées. L’analyse a eu comme conséquence un ensemble des recommandations d’informer l’étape suivante du développement de la politique. En ce document, l’application de cette méthodologie analytique pour utiliser lévidence pour informer des politiques, avantages, défis et issues pour un examen plus approfondi est discutée.
Resumen
Aunque los cientificos apoyan de modo inequivoco el apoyo para el desarrollo temprano, en términos globales la mayoría de los niños no logran su máximo potencial. Proponemos como hipótesis que politicas basadas en evidencia pueden servir como un mediador efectivo para mejorar las vidas y el desarrollo de los niños. Sin embargo, surge la pregunta: ¿Cómo y en que momento debe aplicarse esta evidencia en el desarrollo de las políticas? El propósito de nuestro estudio es probar la aplicabilidad de esta inclisión de evidencia en el inicio de un proceso de desarrollo de políticas, usando un acercamiento sistemático y analítico. Un protocolo de análisis, fundamentado en la literatura de ciencias naturales y sociales orientadas al desarrollo temprano fue utilizado en el proceso de formulación de políticas de desarrollo infantil temprano de la Republica Popular Democrática de Lao PDR. El análisis de contenido puso en evidencia las fortalezas así como las lagunas relacionadas con el desarrollo temprano en este pais. El análisis genero recomendaciones que informaran las subsiguientes etapas en el desarrollo de las políticas. La utilización de esta metodologia, sus ventajas, los retos y las consideraciones para su futura aplicación en otros casos serán discutidas en este articulo.
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Britto, P.R., Cerezo, A. & Ogbunugafor, C.B. How evidence can be used to inform policy: A case study of early childhood evidence-based policy development. IJEC 40, 101–118 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03165842
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03165842