Richard M. Clifford, PhD, is a senior scientist emeritus at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is the author and editor of numerous publications on early education including works on early learning environments, public finance, and public policies affecting young children and their families. His research has had far reaching impact on both policy and practice in the United States and other countries. He is a past president of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.