Using an Ecological and Systems Approach to Support Early Learning Readiness

Abstract

This case is to help district leaders and community partners understand the complexity of pursuing a principles-based approach to improving early school readiness. Wyckoff Public Schools adopted the Boston Basics to support young children’s early learning and readiness for school. It required district leaders and partners to work across organizational and institutional sectors through trial-and-error efforts. The case describes the complexity, learning challenges, and early inquiry cycles that the district pursued to turn this model into a community-embedded educational change and student-readiness strategy. It reflects how systemic improvement theories—particularly the ecological perspective and improvement science—guided their approach and identified areas for improvement.