massachusetts quality rating and improvement system (qris) december 2009
TRANSCRIPT
Massachusetts’Quality Rating and
Improvement System (QRIS)
December 2009
Overview
Massachusetts’ Process for Developing a QRIS
Massachusetts’ QRIS Standards
Pilot of Massachusetts’ QRIS
Next Steps
“A Quality Rating & Improvement System (QRIS) is a method to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in
early care & educationand after-school settings.”
(Stair Steps to Quality, United Way Success by Six, p. 4)
QRIS:Quality Rating and Improvement System
Slide from Anne Mitchell
Components of Massachusetts’ QRIS
Standards
Program and Practitioner Supports
Monitoring and Accountability (ratings)
Fiscal Incentives (for programs and parents)
Family Information and Education
MA QRIS Overarching Structure:
All elements of QRIS should include licensed and license-exempt programs and providers serving children birth – 14 years of age
Any element of the QRIS, and in particular the ratings, voluntary participation initially, eventually may be mandatory to receive certain funding
Design of standards should consider different setting types
Provide financial and other quality supports during implementation
Process for developing QRIS Standards
Guidance from EEC Board and EEC Advisory Team
Group of Internal and External Stakeholders created a draft
Draft posted for public input
Brought consultant on to revise the Standards to be simpler and ensure evidence-based
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MA QRIS Standards
Standards Categories: Curriculum and Learning Environment Workforce Qualifications and Professional
Development Leadership, Management and Administration Family Involvement
Versions: Center-Based Family Child Care After-School and Out of School Time
Rating: Blocks – Must do everything at Level 1 before progressing to Level 2, etc.
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Standards, Assessment and Accountability
Quality Rating and Improvement System*
Curriculum and Learning: curriculum, assessment, teacher child interactions, special education, children with diverse language and cultures
Workforce Qualifications and Professional Development: directors, teachers, teacher assistants, consultants
Environment: indoor, outdoor, health and safety
Leadership, Management and Administration: supervision, management, community involvement, supervision and leadership
Family Involvement
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Example: Center-Based: Curriculum and Learning - Curriculum
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Level Standard Measurement Level 1
Meets Licensing regulations
License in good standing
Level 2
Meets Requirements of Level 1 PLUS
Program uses a written comprehensive curriculum that reflects diversity in its approach, is developmentally appropriate for the children served, and is aligned with the "MA Guidelines for Preschool Learning Experiences" Schedule includes specific time each day for reading to children either individually or in small groups Materials are sufficient, in good condition, reflect the language and culture of the children in the classroom and are appropriate to the age of the children in the class
Curriculum from an approved list or submission of the curriculum for review Daily schedule includes a time allotment of at least 15 minutes for reading to children Teacher uses Materials Checklist in Early Childhood Program Standards for 3 and 4 year olds.
Level 3
Meets Requirements of Level 2 PLUS
Staff has received formal training in the curriculum and uses the MA Guidelines for Preschool Learning Standards to guide their planning of the written weekly lesson plans Daily schedule includes individual, small group, child initiated and teacher directed activities
Documentation of the staff training in the MA Guidelines for Preschool Learning Documentation of the staff training in the curriculum and a review of the lesson plans Use of the ECERS OR CLASS as a self assessment tool with a written program improvement plan
Level 4
Meets Requirements of Level 3 PLUS
Alignment of the Curriculum with the MA Guidelines for Preschool Learning Standards is documented in the daily/weekly lesson plans Staff receive ongoing training and supervision with feedback to ensure fidelity to the curriculum model Program supports reflective teaching practices for staff through the use of peer groups, coaches and /or mentors. Schedule includes built-in staff planning time
Documentation of the training (Registry), review and documentation of the process for supervision, feedback and reflective practices. Review of lesson plans and documentation of reflective teaching practices such as videos, journals, meeting notes or portfolios An outside reliable rater administers either: ECERS with a total score of 5.0 or better and a minimum score of 5.0 in the areas of Language - Reasoning and Activities OR CLASS with a total score in the high range
Level 5
TBD TBD
QRIS Pilot – Spring 2010
Being designed currently Likely start with current UPK grantees and
Head Start programs Will test out rating system and monitoring
tools Will have fiscal incentives to encourage
programs to maintain and continue to improve their quality
Figuring out components of: Program and Practitioner Supports and Family and Consumer Engagement
Will evaluate process
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Next steps:
Host event on Dec. 16th with CAYL Fellows to review revised standards with many stakeholders who have been part of the process
Design QRIS pilot for Spring 2010Develop protocols and tools for
monitoringTrain reviewers on Environmental
Rating Scale (ERS) toolsDevelop Fiscal Incentives component
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