Amy Claessens

Amy Claessens is an associate professor and the Gulbrandsen Distinguished Chair in Early Childhood Education in the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She studies early childhood education, child development, and public policy. Her work investigates how policies and programs influence young children’s development and how early achievement and socioemotional skills relate to subsequent life outcomes. Dr. Claessens has investigated a wide-range of issues surrounding child development and public policy including child care subsidy supply and demand in two states, and kindergarten instructional practices and learning. Much of Dr. Claessens’ research examines how out-of-home contexts such as child care, preschool, and school influence child well being. Her research has been featured in national and international media. She has received funding from the Administration for Children and Families, W.T. Grant Foundation, and the Heising-Simons Foundation. Dr. Claessens holds a PhD in human development and social policy from Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy.