This report explores how the National ECE Workforce Center partnered with New Mexico to drive meaningful systems change in a year-long Action Research Partnership (2024–2025). Focused on improving early care and education (ECE) career ladders, compensation, and workplace policies, the project applied the Center’s Change Framework to evaluate progress and identify key facilitators and barriers to success. This case study discusses how infrastructure-, practice-, and principles-driven strategies can be used to build a sustainable ECE workforce.
Appendix: Data Collection & Analysis Methods Summary
The accompanying appendix provides a comprehensive overview of the data sources and analytic approach used throughout the partnership. It outlines the mixed-methods strategy employed by the team, including protocols we used to inform a unified wage scale and career lattice and the facilitation materials we used to manage the partnership. This strategy can serve as a model for other states and practitioners leading similar systems change initiatives.
