Massachusetts’Quality Rating and

Improvement System (QRIS)

Early Education and CareMixed Delivery System

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The System: A Series of Coordinated Activities

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Early Education and Care System Components

Like any “system”, the education and care system is comprised of a set of connected components, forming a complex unit with an overall purpose, goal, or function that is achieved only through the actions and interactions of all the components. Below is a visual representation of what EEC would like to build with key partners.

Accountability

Standards, Assessment and Accountability

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Teacher Quality

Program Quality(QRIS)

Child Outcomes (formative and summative assessment)

Workforce and Professional Development

EEC Core Competencies

Area 1: Understanding the Growth and Development Understanding how children and youth learn, supporting

individual growth and development, early brain development, applying research/development theories.

Creating a safe, nurturing, and challenging environment that encompasses developmentally appropriate practices, establishes foundations for future growth, and engages young people in building social skills and knowledge.

Area 2: Guiding and Interacting Using appropriate guidance techniques based on age,

development and realistic expectations for the behavior of children and youth.

Recognizing factors that impact behavior and implementing strategies to help foster develop self-regulation, self-concept, coping mechanisms, self-comfort skills, and positive interactions with peers and adults. 6

Workforce and Professional Development (cont’d)

Area 3: Partnering with Families and Communities Understanding diverse family structures and influences,

using culturally competent practices to support and communicate with individual children and families.

Building respectful, reciprocal relationships with families through shared understanding and family and community involvement.

Connecting families to community resources; developing collaborations with family, school, community services.

Area 4: Health, Safety, and Nutrition Ensuring children and youth’s safety, promoting sound

health practices, recognizing and responding to child abuse and neglect, providing nutritious meals/snacks.

Implementing appropriate prevention, preparedness, and health and safety practices.

Maintaining confidentiality. 7

Workforce and Professional Development (cont’d)

Area 5: Learning Environments/Implementing Curriculum

Recognizing high quality environments and utilizing consistent schedules and routines, transition activities, age-appropriate materials and activities, and arranging a classroom to enhance learning.

Understanding developmentally appropriate curriculum models that prepare children and youth for school success.

Area 6: Observation, Assessment, and Documentation Understanding goals, benefits and uses of observation and

assessment. Using systematic observations, documentation, and other

appropriate assessment strategies in partnership with families and other professionals serving the same children.8

Workforce and Professional Development (cont’d)

Area 7: Program Planning and Development Understanding the importance of relationships and positive

communication among colleagues in creating a nurturing learning environment.

Planning, organizing, and implementing best business practices including a shared understanding with staff and families of regulations, applicable laws, policies, staff supervision, and quality standards.

Modeling behaviors, supporting staff through professional development plans, building healthy relationships with colleagues and families, providing developmentally appropriate practices, connecting w/community resources

Area 8: Professionalism and Leadership Adhering to ethical guidelines and professional standards. Practicing continuous, collaborative learning that relies on

reflective practice, integrates knowledge from variety of sources, advocates for best practices

Mentoring to help others develop leadership skills.9

Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS): Purpose

Parents have easily accessible information about the quality of early care and education programs.

Programs and providers use one streamlined set of standards that are connected to supports and fiscal incentives to help them meet and maintain the standards.

Programs receive feedback and are involved in continuous quality improvement.

Policymakers understand where and how to invest additional resources.

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Overview of the Standards

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QRIS Standards

Massachusetts’ QRIS Standards are organized into 5 categories (many also have subcategories):

1. Curriculum and Learning: curriculum, assessment, teacher child interactions, special education, children with diverse language and cultures

2. Workforce Qualifications and Professional Development: directors, teachers, teacher assistants, consultants

3. Environment: indoor, outdoor, health and safety

4. Leadership, Management and Administration: supervision, management, community involvement, supervision and leadership 

5. Family Involvement

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QRIS Standards –Program Types

There are Standards for the following three program types:

1. Standards for Center and School Based Programs

(also for use by license-exempt preschool programs (i.e. public school preschools, Montessori schools, or religiously affiliated schools)

1. Standards for Family Child Care Programs

2. Standards for After School and Out of School Time Programs (to be used by all After School and Out of School Time programs, in all settings, including schools)

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QRIS Standards – Block System

Massachusetts Standards are now a Building Blocks System – Must do everything at Level 1 before progressing to Level 2, etc.

Is this common nationally?* Building blocks - All standards in a level must be met to

move to the next level: 13 states - DC, DE, IN, KY, MD, ME, MT, NH, NM, OH, OK, PA, TN

Points systems - Standards are assigned a point value, which are calculated to determine ratings: 3 states - CO, NC, VT

Combination - A combination of building blocks and points used to determine ratings: 2 states - IA, LA

14* From NCCIC presentation at the 2009 Smart Start conference http://www.smartstartnc.org/conference/2009/Handouts09/528.ppt

National Accreditation and Head Start Performance Standards

Debate about how best to recognize value of national accreditation and the Head Start Performance Standards and temper any possible weakness in each system

Nationally other states include NAEYC in the following ways to reach the top level: Must be NAEYC accredited: 2 states NAEYC + Additional Criteria: 8 states NAEYC + Additional Criteria OR Separate Set of Criteria: 3 states NAEYC in points scheme: 4 states No recognition of NAEYC: 2 states

Recommendation is: At Level 4, Programs may provide evidence of meeting the criteria

detailed at Level 4 in the QRIS Standards, OR Programs may provide evidence of being currently nationally

accredited AND providing evidence of meeting a set of MA specific criteria from the previous levels• Programs may substitute being currently accredited with

meeting the Head Start Performance Standards (having no deficiencies during their PRISM review)

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Highlights: MeasurementPrograms can meet the standards via: license in good standing,

document submission, use of tools, use of workforce registry, onsite monitoring using the ERS tools (ECERS, ITERS, FCCERS, and SACCRS)

Move to use of common tools. Many of these tools are available free of charge and EEC will work to make them available on its website. Tools now in the standards include:

Curriculum: Materials Checklist for Early Childhood Program Standards or NAFCC (Level 2); Optional: CLASS (Center/School, Level 4)

Teacher Child Relationships: Self-assessment tool to monitor classroom climate such as Arnett (Level 2); Arnett Scale completed by outside reviewer (Level 4)

Children with Diverse Languages: Self-assessment via ECERS or ELLCO (Center/School, Level 3); Use of the Pre-Las or other valid instruments to determine child’s primary language (Level 4)

Outdoor: Use certified playground inspector (Center/School, Level 3)Health and Safety: Use of the California Health Scale as a self-assessment (Center/School, Level 3)

Family Involvement: Strengthening Families self-assessment tool (Level 2)Leadership, Management and Administration: Optional: Program Administration Scale by outside validator or NAEYC validation visit

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Highlights: ERS tools

Many states have a strong role for the ERS tools in their QRIS standards – 14 of 18 states include. Variations in way included*:

ERS Scores are used to determine rating levels: 7 states Program can earn rating points for ERS scores: 4 states Program must be assessed with ERS, but does not tie particular scores to

ratings: 2 states Self-assessment tool: 1 state

MA Standards have a strong role for the ERS tools Level 2 – use the tools for self assessment Level 3 – score of 4.0 or higher, with no sub-score below 3.0, by outside

reliable administrator Level 4 – score of 5.0 or higher in all areas by outside reliable

administrator

ERS vs. CLASS ERS is more broadly focused on the environment, whereas CLASS focuses

on instructional practice, teacher child interactions and the content of the teacher's instruction in the classroom

Decided to use ERS tools as foundational building blocks and self-assessment tools, and introduce CLASS at higher levels and through professional development

17* From NCCIC presentation at the 2009 Smart Start conference http://www.smartstartnc.org/conference/2009/Handouts09/528.ppt

Resources Available on EEC Website

EEC has provided links and resources for each program type at each QRIS level on our website at (to be updated as materials become available):

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eoeterminal&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Early+Education+and+Care&L2=Workforce+and+Professional+Development&L3=Quality+Rating+and+Improvement+System+(QRIS)&sid=Eeoe&b=terminalcontent&f=EEC_qris_qris_standards&csid=Eeoe

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Current QRIS Initiatives

Intent to Participate Survey Available at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/W8CB9HY Allows EEC to understand the types of programs and level of

interest in both the Pilot and the Grant in order to better plan for the implementation of these initiatives.

Encouraged, but not mandatory. Submitting a survey is not an application for the Pilot or Grant.

QRIS Pilot Programs only interested in the Pilot (not grant) or if not eligible for

the grant, have until June 30, 2010 to submit materials that will be used by EEC to rate the program.

QRIS Program Quality Improvement Grant Eligible programs may submit an application (requirements

outlined in RFP) to EEC by April 12th which includes a self assessment of QRIS level, and funding request that should support their advancement at least one level on the QRIS.

One grant requirement is participation in the Pilot – materials due by April 12th with all grant materials.

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EEC WEB SITE SCREEN SHOTwww.mass.gov/eec

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To learn more about the QRIS Intent Survey, Pilot and Grant:

Intent to Participate Brief Survey

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Intent to Participate On-line Survey:due April 1, 2010

QRIS Pilot

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QRIS Pilot

QRIS Pilot will provide opportunity to continue refining standards, asking questions about equivalencies and efforts needed to implement, and validity.

As part of this pilot, EEC hopes to provide program quality improvement grants to eligible programs as an incentive to participate in the pilot and to help them make targeted progress on the QRIS, directly linked to the QRIS Standards.

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What do we want to learn in the Pilot?

Parts of the process that worked well

Items that need to be changed about the forms and/or the process

Any criteria that need to be clarified

Effort and time required of programs to participate

Is there equivalency between the accreditation systems and the environmental rating scales

Inform us about the question of separating licensing from raters and technical assistance providers

Collect information to address questions of cultural responsiveness. Are there barriers for specific segments of the population?

Support programs need to move up to next level

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QRIS Pilot – Spring 2010 Invite programs to participate in the pilot

• Any interested program• Set quotas for setting type• During review process, prioritize programs where state

already invested

Through the pilot EEC will test out the rating system and the monitoring tools

EEC will work to develop fiscal incentives to encourage programs to move up to the next level

FY10: program quality improvement grants, ERS tools

FY11: ARRA and other sources

Will continuously reflect on pilot, seeking ways to improve in preparation for full implementation

Family and Consumer Engagement campaign will be part of full implementation, not pilot, because need to have enough programs involved

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QRIS Pilot – Approximate Timeline

Submit Notice of Intent Survey                                  

April 1, 2010 (non-binding)

Submission ofApplication/ Materials:

June 30, 2010 or earlier (only if not requesting QRIS Program Quality Improvement Grant funding)

April 12, 2010 (if applying for QRIS Program Quality Improvement Grant)

   

Summer of 2010 EEC will review Pilot rating materials submitted by programs to determine actual rating

July and October 2010Verification of program ratings will occur; programs whose rating requires an on-site visit by EEC staff will receive a visit.

   

December 2010     Pilot participants receive QRIS rating.

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Self Assessment to Be Submitted to EEC

Each program participating in the QRIS Pilot will use the Application and Worksheet document on EEC’s website for their program type (which are directly aligned with the QRIS Provisional Standards) This will help programs identify which standards they

currently meet and provide documentation that will allow EEC to assess the program’s actual QRIS level.

This document also includes a one page application.

Reminder: Programs must self-assess that they can meet all of the criteria in all of the categories in Level 1 before they can apply for Level 2, and so on up the levels.

 

Model for Pilot

Pilot Application

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QUALITY RATI NG AND IMPROVEMENT SYSTEM -- PI LOT APPLI CATI ON

I f interested in participating in the Massachusetts Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) Pilot, please complete the attached QRIS Pilot Application and return it with a copy of the Program Self Assessment Worksheet and appropriate documentation. Once submitted, EEC will review rating materials submitted by programs to verify the program’s rating and programs whose rating requires an on-site visit by EEC staff will be contacted to schedule a visit.

CONTACT INFORMATION and PROGRAM TYPE

Name of Program: Program Address (Street / City/ State/ Zip):

EEC License Number (if applicable):

□ Check if License Exempt (Please note: license exempt programs must meet EEC licensing requirements to participate in QRIS pilot)

Contact Person: Title: Phone Number: Email:

Check Program Type Applying (check only one) X Center/School Based Program □ Family Child Care Program □ After School and Out of School Time Program

PROGRAM SELF ASSESSMENT Check if program uses as a method of meeting any measurement:

□ Head Start Performance Standard □ Accreditation; Type of accreditation _______ _____ (e.g. NAEYC, NAFCC, etc.)

I f using the above as a method for meeting any measurement, attach documentation that indicates your program meets Head Start Performance Standard and/or is accredited. □ Attached; Indicate document title: _____________________ ______ __________________________________

I f the required QRIS Environmental Rating Scale tools are made available at no cost to participants of the pilot, please indicate if you would like to receive a free copy of the tool: □ Program is interested in ECERS tool □ Program is interested in ITERS tool □ Program is interested in FDCRS tool □ Program is interested in SACERS tool □ Program is not interested in receiving a free copy of a tool

Check Program’s Self Assessed QRIS Level (check one): □ Level 1 □ Level 2 □ Level 3 □ Level 4

ENROLLMENT Enter program enrollment

on March 1, 2010

Enter financial assistance program enrollment on March 1, 2010: (include EEC financial assistance, Head Start funded and private scholarships for families with household incomes below 85% SMI)

# of Infants: # enrolled: # receiving financial assistance:

# of Toddlers: # enrolled: # receiving financial assistance:

# of Preschoolers: # enrolled: # receiving financial assistance: (Public Schools): # of preschool children in your school (not district) qualifying for free/reduced lunch:_______

# of School-Age Children:

# enrolled: # receiving financial assistance:

Signature of Authorized Program Representative

Title Date

Example of Application and Worksheet for QRIS Pilot

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Curriculum and Learning: TEACHER CHILD RELATIONSHIP AND INTERACTIONS Standard Measurement Level 1

Meets licensing regulations or license exempt and meets licensing requirements

Measurement: License in good standing or program meets EEC Licensing Standards (for non-licensable and license exempt programs) Self Assessment: Does Program Meet Measurement? (Circle One): Yes No For EEC licensed programs: EEC will confirm whether the program license is in good standing. For non-licensable programs and license exempt programs: license exempt programs must submit documentation of a self- assessment that indicates the program meets EEC licensing requirements.

Level 2

Meets Requirements of Level 1 PLUS

Program has a written policy that addresses the importance of positive teacher child relationships and interactions that is shared with all staff and parents. All staff receive orientation and ongoing professional development and supervision in how to support positive relationships and interactions

Measurement: Review of policy and professional development Self Assessment: Does Program Meet This Measurement? (Circle One): Yes No

Method of meeting measurement (Check One):

Accreditation □

Head Performance Standard □

Other means; documentation attached □ I f documentation is attached, please clearly label and provide title here: _ _ _____________________________________ __________________________________ Measurement: Program uses a self assessment tool to monitor the climate of the classroom and develop improvement plans Self Assessment: Does Program Meet This Measurement? (Circle One): Yes No

Method of meeting measurement (Check One):

Accreditation □

Head Performance Standard □

Other means; documentation attached □ I f documentation is attached, please clearly label and provide title here: _ _ _______________________________________________________________________

QRIS Program Quality Improvement Grants

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Self Assessment Each program applying for the grant will use the Program

Self Assessment and Program Improvement Template (for their program type and self-assessed level) to complete a program self-assessment and identify which standards they currently meet.

 Program Improvement Plan Using the same template programs will use their self-

assessment to complete the program improvement plan column which will address how they would use grant funds to make targeted advancements of at least one level on the QRIS.

Applicants will be required to demonstrate the ability to receive/implement resources between May 1, 2010 and June 30, 2010.

Model for QRIS Program Quality Improvement Grants

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All programs must be at a self-assessed QRIS level 1, 2 or 3 to be eligible to apply (not level 4), as they must use these funds to advance one level on the QRIS system.

Any EEC licensed educator/program that was serving at least one child receiving financial assistance on March 1, 2010;

or

Any EEC license-exempt educator/program that meets EEC licensing requirements and submits a document which attests to meeting those requirements and agrees to a future EEC licensing visit and that was serving at least one child receiving financial assistance on March 1, 2010.

Eligibility for QRIS Program Quality Improvement Grants

Programs that are not currently vendors with MA will submit a set of required forms to become a vendor, in order to receive grant funds (as outlined in the RFP).

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Grant Funding Levels

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EEC is making up to $4,000,000 of CCDF quality funds available for the program quality improvement grants.

Programs may apply individually for grants, or lead agencies, school districts and family child care systems may apply for grants on behalf of multiple sites/providers within their agency/system

• Educators / Programs within the mixed delivery system will be eligible for individual grants up to $10,000 each.

• Lead Agencies may apply for up to $100,000 ($10,000 cap per site applying for)

Whether applying as a lead agency or individual application -- all sites must complete an application and required RFP materials, as grants will be site specific (not classroom specific or lead agency specific) based on the program types provided in QRIS Standards (Center/School Based Programs, Family Child Care Programs and After School and Out of School Time Programs)

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Eligible fund use will be tied to QRIS Standards; allowable expenses for CCDF Quality Funds and may include:

Professional development for educators and/or parents/families linked to QRIS.Substitutes to allow for staff/educator planning time to build collaborative agreements, engage more deeply with health consultants, to develop policies named in the QRIS standards etc.Costs associated with Certified Playground Inspection Accreditation facilitation support or accreditation fees Appropriate materials that support QRIS progress (for staff or parent resource centers, portable sink with running water for hand washing etc.)Purchase of screening or assessment toolsAnnual financial review conducted by a CPA

Eligible Grant Fund Use

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Eligible fund use will be directly tied to QRIS Standards and allowable expenses for CCDF Quality Funds and may include:

Consultant regarding environmental design of space to meet requirements in the “Environment” section of the QRIS

Application/renewal costs for Child Development Associate (CDA) credential

Annual consultations by a Health Consultant to monitor records, update health care policies and practices, identify program issues, assist programs in complying with health and safety requirements and provides a written report to the program

Administrative costs (not to exceed 5% of total grant award or any subcontract)

Eligible Grant Fund Use (continued)

Priorities for Awarding Grant Funds

EEC will ensure funding is allocated in a manner which ensures diversity in terms of geographic and program/provider type representation to the extent possible based on applications received.

Once geographic and mixed system representation are ensured, if EEC receives applications for funding beyond $4M, EEC will next prioritize programs where 50% or more of the children are receiving financial assistance (definition used ensures public schools would also be eligible).

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Example of QRIS Self Assessment and Improvement Plan: Grant

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Curriculum and Learning: CURRI CULUM Level Standard Measurement Program I mprovement Plan:

Resources Proposed 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" and the Infant / Toddler Learning Guidelines (when they are available) Materials reflect the language and culture of the children in the classroom

Curriculum from an approved list or submission of the curriculum for review Teacher uses Materials Checklist in Early Childhood Program Standards for 3 and 4 year olds. Use of the ITERS (if appropriate) and ECERS as a self assessment tool with a written program improvement plan

Level 3

Meets Requirements of Level 2 PLUS

Staff has received formal professional development in the curriculum and uses the MA Guidelines for Preschool Learning Standards and the Infant / Toddler Learning Guidelines (when they are available) to guide their planning of the written weekly lesson plans

Documentation of the staff professional development in the MA Guidelines for Preschool Learning and the Infant / Toddler Learning Guidelines (when they are available) Documentation of the staff professional development in the curriculum and a review of the lesson plans An outside reliable rater administers the ITERS (if appropriate) and the ECERS with a total score of 4.0 or better with a sub-score of at least 3.0 in all areas

Do you have internal resources to meet this measurement (circle one). Yes No I f no, are you applying for EEC QRIS Program Quality Improvement grant funds to meet this measurement? (circle one) Yes No I f yes, what are you proposing to purchase? What are your plans for implementation? I f yes, please describe the program’s ability to implement the funds by J une 30, 2010 (have you contacted vendor to assure delivery is feasible by this date etc.). List costs to purchase proposed resources, please itemize (also include on budget form).

Grant – Estimated Timeline

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March 22, 2010 Grantees Submission of Written Inquiries

March 29, 2010 EEC Will Post Responses to Written Inquiries

(Estimated)

April 1, 2010 Interested Applicants Submit Intent Form/Survey

April 12, 2010 QRIS Pilot Application and Materials Deadline for

Grant

April 21, 2010 EEC Selects Grantees (estimated; to be posted)

~May 1 Grantees receive payment June 30, 2010 All goods and services purchased by grantees with

these funds must be received on or before June 30, 2010

July EEC will review Pilot rating materials submitted by programs to determine rating

Aug-Oct EEC will visit programs whose rating requires on-site visit