Gerilyn Slicker and Melissa Stoffers (both Early Childhood, Multilingual, and Special Education) along with co-authors Jason Hustedt and Cara Kelly published an article, "Enrollment Practices in Early Education Centers: Examining Implementation in the Arkansas State Pre-K Program" in AERA Open.

Their mixed methods study is a comprehensive examination of early care and education (ECE) centers’ enrollment practices with a specific focus on enrollment of children from underserved backgrounds in Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) pre-K programs compared with non-ABC programs. Quantitative results from a statewide sample of ECE centers reveal that ABC programs are typically fully enrolled and enroll underserved populations — including children in impoverished and rural areas and children with disabilities — at higher rates than non-ABC programs. Qualitative interviews reveal enrollment facilitators and barriers in both ABC and non-ABC programs, including aspects of centers, surrounding communities, and state policies. Results suggest that policies such as deliberately setting and implementing certain enrollment priorities may enhance equitable ECE access.