Caitlin has over a decade of research experience in early care and education systems and policy. As CSCCE’s Director of Multi-State and International Programs, she leads cross-state early care and education (ECE) workforce policy projects. These include the biennial Early Childhood Workforce Index and related research on ECE compensation initiatives and workforce data. Caitlin also provides and oversees technical assistance to state-level stakeholders looking to improve their policies to prepare, support, and compensate early educators. Prior to joining CSCCE in 2015, Caitlin’s research focused on comparative early care and education policy in the United States and Europe, with a special emphasis on the United Kingdom. Caitlin earned a Ph.D. in Social Policy from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. In her free time, Caitlin enjoys reading and talking to her four cats.
Publications by Caitlin McLean
How Are States Tackling the Early Educator Compensation Crisis?
July 12, 2022 • Blog • By Annie Dade and Caitlin McLean
This blog post describes strategies that state leaders are taking to address the early educator compensation crisis. Drawing on CSCCE’s Compensation Database and Compensation Learning Community, we share common approaches…
Early Childhood Workforce Index 2020
February 23, 2021 • Report • By Caitlin McLean, Lea J.E. Austin, Marcy Whitebook and Krista Olson
The latest edition of our biennial report provides a data-rich look at state-based policies and conditions for the early care and education workforce.
Increased Compensation for Early Educators: It's Not Just "Nice to Have" — It's a Must-Have
February 11, 2020 • Blog • By Caitlin McLean
Imagine your niece or nephew is headed off to college next year. They tell you that they want to work with young children because they want to have an impact…
January 21, 2020 • Blog • By Marisa Schlieber and Caitlin McLean
Teacher practice that supports children’s learning and development requires well-prepared educators and supportive working conditions. Strategies to improve the quality of early care and education (ECE) through increased professional development…
December 4, 2019 • Blog • By Abby Copeman Petig and Caitlin McLean
Research is clear that early educators play a central role in facilitating learning and development among children birth to age five. Yet a gap exists between our understanding of…
October 10, 2019 • Blog • By Caitlin McLean and Carlise King
This blog post was produced in collaboration with the Early Childhood Data Collaborative at Child Trends. ECE Workforce Data Are Critical The absence of good data allows anecdote…