Child Development Laboratory Schools

Child development laboratory schools are a particular type of laboratory school with a slightly different history and purpose than, perhaps, the laboratory schools that existed at places such as the University of Chicago. Child development laboratory schools arose in the early part of the 20th century out of a need for scholars to engage in deliberate, scientific child study that would contribute to the development of social policy. Over the past hundred years, child development laboratory schools have evolved in structure, function, and auspices. These programs have often struggled in more recent years with justifying their existence and expense, and many that have survived have [Page 223]redefined themselves. This entry provides a brief history of these programs, describes the current status of child development laboratory ...