The HighScope Educational Research Foundation

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Introduction to HighScope
The HighScope Educational Research Foundation traces its roots back to the Perry Preschool Project, founded in 1962 by psychologist David Weikart in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The Perry Preschool Project, involving 123 children in Ypsilanti, completely transformed perceptions about the importance of early childhood education in Michigan at that time. In 1970, Dr. David Weikart formally established The HighScope Educational Research Foundation to continue researching the impact of high-quality early childhood education on the long-term success of children who received early interventions. The research results showed that children who were educated using the “Active Learning” approach from the HighScope program achieved higher outcomes compared to those who did not attend preschool, particularly in several criteria as follows:
With the belief that all children deserve high-quality early childhood education to develop to their fullest potential, the HighScope approach has become successful not only in the United States but also in many countries worldwide, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Chile, Indonesia, South Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, Portugal, and South Africa…
The HighScope approach is an educational method that emphasizes “Active Learning” and is implemented through a series of teaching strategies and child-centered models built upon research in child psychology and practical assessment tools. This support makes the “Active Learning” approach more practical and accessible to teachers, contributing to the success of the HighScope program, as evidenced by the following achievements:
Active Learning Approach
Since its inception in 1970 in the United States, the HighScope Preschool program, with its Active Learning approach developed by psychologist David Weikart, has been recognized as a program that fosters creativity and initiative in learners.
The “Active Learning” approach is implemented through four key elements:

Scientific Child Assessment Tools

HighScope assesses children based on their individual development, using the COR Advantage assessment tool developed and standardized by the HighScope organization in the United States. By observing children’s daily behaviors, language, and interactions, teachers gain an accurate understanding of each child’s developmental level in each educational area, allowing them to identify strengths to be developed and areas that require in-depth support.

Child-Centered Interactions

The relationship between children and adults is fundamental to creating an active learning environment. Adults respect children as partners, letting go of the urge to control and guide, allowing children to take ownership of their learning and exploration. HighScope teachers share control, observe, listen attentively to children’s intentions, and identify each child’s unique abilities and developmental levels to provide appropriate, individualized support. In the HighScope educational environment, children are at the center of designing their learning experiences, while teachers support them in developing their strengths, learning to improve their weaknesses willingly and positively, and becoming a better version of themselves each day.

Stimulating Learning Environments

HighScope classrooms are divided into different play areas to support children in carrying out their “play-to-learn” plans. With a variety of materials, scientifically categorized and labeled, children are proactive in searching, using, and cleaning up. The HighScope learning environment does not require expensive teaching aids but encourages the use of everyday materials, as HighScope believes that children interact with materials to learn how to use them, and then creatively combine open-ended materials to solve problems, not just for entertainment. The learning environment also plays a crucial role in simulating a miniature society, where each member interacts with materials and the classroom space to satisfy their imagination, stimulate creativity, and learn to control their emotions and resolve problems that arise during play.

Daily Routines that Meet Developmental Needs

HighScope classrooms offer a variety of activities, from small group interactions and one-on-one interactions to whole-class activities, promoting a balanced development of both individual and social skills. The “PLAN-DO-REVIEW” cycle emphasizes the importance of children taking the initiative to plan their play and controlling the entire process with purposeful teacher support. This copyrighted learning process from the HighScope Educational Research Foundation helps develop independent thinking, qualities, and accelerates brain development in preschool children.

These four essential elements are represented as a wheel, a complete cycle (Wheel of Learning), demonstrating a close and scientific connection between the components that make up the Active Learning approach. Starting from the first and most important element, the strategy of interacting with and working with children, combined with a stimulating learning environment and a daily routine that meets children’s psychological needs, teachers implement educational content in various developmental areas for each preschool or kindergarten age group to support children in reaching age-appropriate developmental milestones. The final piece, the COR Advantage assessment tool, is a powerful tool that enables teachers to identify the developmental level of each individual and plan support accordingly, returning to adjust the other three components until children reach a higher level of development. In this way, the learning wheel turns, creating a strong and indispensable combination in the implementation of the HighScope educational program, with Active Learning at its core.