The Partnership for Prekindergarten Improvement (PPI) Project is multi-state effort funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The project involves the states of Oregon, Washington, Tennessee and Arkansas. As part of the effort, each state selected a research partner or partners. The Oregon Department of Education-Early Learning Division (the branch that oversees state-funded prekindergarten; ELD) selected the Oregon Preschool Research Group headed by researchers from three Oregon institutions. They are Oregon State University (Dr. Bridget Hatfield), OSLC Developments Inc (Dr. Katherine Pears), and Portland State University (Dr. Beth Green).