The City of West Lafayette has selected Augenblick, Palaich and Associates (APA Consulting) to complete a comprehensive analysis to asses the early childhood education needs and the viability of adding capacity within the West Lafayette community. For the full scope of the project and the original RFP click here: LINK

About APA

Founded in 1983, Augenblick, Palaich and Associates, Inc. (APA) is a privately owned, Denver-based consulting firm that specializes in education policy analysis, education funding, and program evaluation.  the company, which has worked in all 50 states, is a federally-recognized small business that focuses on research and evaluation of pre-kindergarten, K-12, and postsecondary education policies and programs. APA collaborates with many other research organizations and institutions from around the country.

About the Project

APA will conduct a comprehensive study on Early Childhood Education (ECE) in West Lafayette. The proposed methodology involves surveys, interviews, cost modeling, forecasting, and GIS mapping to address all outlined questions in the Request for Proposal (RFP). The study encompasses four primary tasks: 1) Quantitative analysis of existing ECE data using census and other sources to determine supply and demand, 2) Collection and analysis of community and stakeholder input through surveys, interviews, and focus groups 3) Cost modeling using APA's Provider Cost of Quality Calculator and a custom ECE center cost model, and 4) Literature review documenting ECE in Indiana and West Lafayette to assess the return on investment for expanding ECE access.

Early Childhood Education Forum

The City of West Lafayette, along with the Early Childhood Education and Care Coalition, Tippecanoe School Corporation, and West Lafayette Community School Corporation, invites the community to participate in conversations, share ideas, and enhance awareness of the joint initiatives aimed at addressing early childhood education. In addition, APA Consulting will present their results from a study of early childhood education in West Lafayette. 

May 14, 2024 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Margerum City Hall - 222 N. Chauncey Avenue.

Streaming is available and forum content may be found: [LINK] here

Parking will be available in the lot along Salisbury Street.