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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