David Jacobson

David Jacobson, PhD, works with states, districts, and communities to improve early education and care for low-income children and their families. He specializes in building effective prenatal through grade 3 (P–3) partnerships with the aim of closing achievement gaps, addressing inequality, and building strong communities.

Jacobson brings extensive experience in early childhood education, school improvement, and strategic planning to his work. In addition to providing technical assistance to states and communities, he studies how communities implement prenatal through grade 3 initiatives. He is currently conducting an applied research project, Place-Based Collaboration on Early Education, which examines communities that are combining prenatal through grade 3 improvement and integrated child and family support services. This project is funded by the Heising-Simons Foundation.

Jacobson is the author of numerous publications on P–3 systems and state policy. He developed and writes for the P–3 Learning Hub, a blog that analyzes P–3 developments around the country. As a member of the advisory board for Boston College’s InterconnectED initiative, he also supports state efforts to integrate educational, social service, health, and mental health resources for children.

Jacobson received a BA in history and an MA in philosophy from Brown University and a PhD in sociology from the University of Chicago.

"The P-3 movement creates a promising opportunity for schools, districts, and communities to reduce gaps while raising achievement and life chances for all children."