Shana E. Rochester is a research scientist in the early childhood area at Child Trends. Her research explores how schools and family-based educational programs can positively affect the academic and social development of young children, ages birth to eight, from historically underrepresented communities. Specifically, Shana examines how children’s cultural knowledge and out-of-school experiences can be leveraged in ways that support their learning, and her work considers the role of family members and classroom teachers in shaping children’s academic and social development. She has expertise (1) designing, implementing, and evaluating programs related to literacy engagement and instruction; (2) using large and administrative datasets; and (3) validating early childhood observation tools and surveys. Prior to joining Child Trends, Shana was a postdoctoral research associate at Boston University and the assistant director of Sherman Center for Early Learning in Urban Communities at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She earned her BA in psychology from Spelman College and her PhD in education and psychology from the University of Michigan.