#  Executive Function Mapping Project 

 



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A rapidly expanding body of literature highlights the importance of executive function (EF) and regulation-related skills for the positive development of children and youth. EF and related skills have been linked to outcomes such as school readiness, academic achievement, and mental health (Blair & Razza, 2007; Eisenberg et al, 2004; McClelland et al, 2007). In particular, the ability to use self-control strategies during early childhood predicts long-term outcomes including SAT scores, high school graduation and retention, juvenile delinquency, and adult income and savings-related behavior (Mischel, et al, 1988; Moffit et al, 2011). These findings have generated many new efforts to design programs and policies that build EF and related skills in the early childhood years, especially among low-income children.

However, there is little consensus on how to define, promote, or measure EF, and researchers and practitioners use a variety of terms interchangeably (e.g., cognitive control, emotion and behavior regulation, grit, self-discipline). With funding from the [Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE)](http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre) under the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), this project aims to create a framework and "map" of the various terms and skills often included in this domain, and to generate a set of tools to help support accurate communication and translation of EF-related research in applied contexts.

**Funder**

[Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE/ACF/HHS)](http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre)



 

##  News & Resources 

 



  [### Executive Function Mapping Project Measures Compendium

 ](/news/executive-function-mapping-project-measures-compendium) June 14, 2018 

 Read the Executive Function Mapping Project Measures Compendium, a resource providing information about measures of executive function and other regulation-related skills. 

 

 

   ![Image from compendium](/sites/g/files/omnuum4486/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/gse-easel-lab/files/measures_compendium_thumbnail.png?itok=ARDSgiiP) 

 



 

 

   [### Understanding Core Skills

 ](/news/understanding-core-skills) December 05, 2016 

 This piece, the second in a two-part series about our Executive Function Mapping Project, explains how core nonacademic skills vary using the guiding framework presented in our new report. 

 

 

   ![Child playing with wood shapes](/sites/g/files/omnuum4486/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/gse-easel-lab/files/ef_2_250.jpg?itok=zG0_3Ouy) 

 



 

 

   [### Defining the Skills for Success

 ](/news/defining-skills-success) December 01, 2016 

 As part of a two-part series, this piece by Usable Knowledge explains our Executive Function Mapping Project and provides an overview of the similarities and differences between executive function and other regulation-related skills. 

 

 

   ![ef1_250.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum4486/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/gse-easel-lab/files/ef1_250.jpg?itok=ycp_jHwN) 

 



 

 

   [### The Executive Function Mapping Project: Untangling the Terms and Skills Related to Executive Function and Self-Regulation in Early Childhood

 ](/news/executive-function-mapping-project-untangling-terms-and-skills-related-executive) November 14, 2016 

 Read about the Executive Function Mapping Project in our new report outlining key differences and similarities among executive function and other regulation-related skills in research. 

 

 

   ![OPRE](/sites/g/files/omnuum4486/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/gse-easel-lab/files/opre.png?itok=M5HKMVIS)