Aim4Excellence Evaluation Report

McCormick Institute for Early Childhood

BY McCormick Center  | October 13, 2018

The McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership at National Louis University conducted a three-year evaluation of its Aim4Excellence™ National Director Credential program, from 2014 through 2017. Aim4Excellence is an engaging and interactive online professional learning experience that focuses on the core leadership and management competencies that early childhood leaders need.



Findings from a robust study of 1,372 early childhood directors, administrators, teachers, and family child care professionals suggest that participants demonstrated significant growth in their understanding of leadership principles and changed their administrative practice over time. Participant satisfaction was very high and motivation for learning contributed to remarkably high completion rates. The study provides substantial evidence of the efficacy of the Aim4Excellence program through learning outcomes and change in administrative practice over time.

By Jamie Fishman • September 18, 2026
This conference definitely helps our business. Like I said, it's really an opportunity for us to highlight all the products that we have that are new and exciting. I try to bring and highlight things that are new this year. Pretty much everything on this table are new products for 2026. And what makes this conference different? I think it's just really there's a lot of decision makers here, which is really good for us as a business to be talking to childcare owners, to actually, the providers that are in the classroom, and connect with even larger centers that have multiple locations. And it gives us that time to really have that in-person connection that we don't often get to have. So it's kind of like a bang for your buck you get to see lots of different customers over a short course of time because the conference is only a day and so it gives us a chance to connect with a lot of customers and get our products out there. 
Show More