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QRIS Environment Rating Scale Policy Revision

EEC Board MeetingJanuary 14, 2014

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Subscale

Item

3

Current Environment Rating Scale Policy

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Challenges Presented by Current ERS Policy

•At all levels the environment rating scales contain between 39-43 items. If any one of these items falls below the QRIS Level requirements, EEC is unable to grant the program’s/provider’s level.

• The current scoring requirement of a 3, 5 or 6 on all individual ERS items, is not necessarily indicative of low program quality. For example, some programs/providers may score low on an item because, as a result of bussing, they have limited greetings and departures with family members.

• Facility and program structure limitations are a barrier for some programs. For example, if a facility does not have an adult only dedicated restroom, they cannot meet the QRIS Level 2 requirements.

• Certain subscales are more directly linked to child outcomes. The current ERS policy does not address this in any way.

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Proposed Environment Rating Scale Policy

* See sample “Environment Rating Scale Reliable Rater Visit Report” to review a list of subscales and proposed score requirements.

Current Environment Rating Scale Policy

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7

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Current Environment Rating Scales - Support and

Assessment

Current Process

Level 2 Level 3 Level 4

Program/Provider

• ERS Self-Assessment

• ERS Self-Assessment

• ERS Self-Assessment

EEC Program Quality Specialist

• ERS documentation verification (off site)• Group/individual technical assistance (off site)

• ERS documentation verification (on site) • Individual technical assistance (on site)

• ERS documentation verification (on site)• Individual technical assistance (on site)

Independent ERS Reliable Rater

• No RR visit • RR Classroom Observations

• RR Classroom Observations

Proposed Process

Level 2 Level 3 Level 4

Program/Provider

• ERS Self-Assessment

• ERS Self-Assessment

• ERS Self-Assessment

EEC Program Quality Specialist

• ERS documentation verification (off site)• Group/individual technical assistance (off site)

• ERS documentation verification (on site)• Individual technical assistance (on site)

• ERS documentation Verification (off site)• Individualized Technical Assistance (small groups/off site)•Referral made for RR visit

Independent ERS Reliable Rater

No RR visit • NO RR Classroom Observations• PQS verifies ERS scores

• RR Classroom Observations

Proposed Environment Rating Scales - Support and

Assessment

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Vetting Process and Timeline for ERS Policy Implementation

PQS unit presented proposal to EEC Board Policy Committee and EEC Board (including feedback from the field: QRIS Working Group meetings in October and November)

December 2013

PQS unit shared EEC Board discussion regarding the ERS policy with the QRIS Working Group

January 2014

PQS unit presents proposed policy to EEC Board for decision/vote to adopt new ERS policy

Policies and potential challenges are shared with the QRIS Working Group for thoughts and feedback

February 2014

PQS unit in collaboration with input from the QRIS Working Group, develops a plan for sharing scores and granting level 3 ratings

PQS unit begins sharing scores with field and granting level 3 ratings

March 2014

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Questions and Comments