San Diego State University Hosts the 3rd Annual Conference on ECE Quality Improvement

The San Diego State University Research Foundation (SDSURF) hosted the 3rd Conference on Early Childhood Education (ECE) Quality Improvement in Tbilisi on November 11, 2025. The conference showcased the results of extensive work in the field of early childhood education, supported by the World Bank through the Innovation, Inclusion, and Quality (I2Q) project.

Deputy Minister of Education, Science, and Youth Baya Kvitsiani welcomed the participants and emphasized that the I2Q Project is a crucial part of the education reform. She highlighted that early and preschool education lays the foundation for a child’s future development, which is why the Ministry collaborates closely with international partners to systematically enhance this sector.

Speakers at the conference included World Bank Education Specialist Anna Berdzenadze, Executive Director of the I2Q project Tamar Sanikidze, Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Science, and Youth Affairs Mariam Lashkhi, and SDSU Professor Douglas Fisher.

Nancy Frey, a professor at the research foundation and head of the international expert team, along with Professor James Marshall, presented their findings to the attendees. They shared the key results achieved through collaboration with stakeholders aimed at improving the quality of early childhood and preschool education.

The sessions covered critical topics such as the professional development of educators, mentoring models, strategies for continuously strengthening educational personnel, the national vision for ensuring quality in early childhood education, updates to the curriculum, and the child development assessment system.

The event featured panel discussions where representatives from municipalities, kindergartens, the National Center for Teacher Professional Development, and other stakeholders shared successful practices and addressed challenges within the field.

Experts from the San Diego State University Research Foundation plan to conduct their next working visit to Georgia in February 2026.