1. The Enhanced AMS 2.0:
The Foundation

2. Table of Contents Background: The Road to AMS 2.0 Introducing AMS 2.0
What Grantees Need to Know
Key Principles
How Does AMS 2.0 Differ from AMS 1.0
AMS 2.0 Focus Areas
Introduction to Focus Area 1 (FA1)
Introduction to Focus Area 2 (FA2)
Additional Resources
The Enhanced AMS 2.0: The Foundation

3. Background: The Road to AMS 2.0
In 2016, the Office of Head Start (OHS) released the new Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), which became effective November 7, 2016.
The standards represent a shift from compliance only to focus on performance, data-driven decisions, and impact.
Greater flexibility for grantees to determine how best to achieve goals and administer high-quality programs for children and families
Move toward an outcomes-focused culture
Flexibility to meet community needs and to promote innovation and research 
The Enhanced AMS 2.0: The Foundation

4. Background: The Road to AMS 2.0 (cont’d)
Last fall, the OHS began working to redesign the AMS with the HSPPS.
Monitoring will gather information about performance and empower grantees to share data and information that demonstrates their performance.
The Enhanced AMS 2.0: The Foundation

5. What Grantees Need to Know
WHAT IS AMS 2.0? Like the new HSPPS, it’s more streamlined, efficient, and focused on programs’ use of data, progress, and outcomes.
AMS 2.0 consists of three reviews: Classroom Assessment Scoring System® (CLASS®), Focus Area 1, and Focus Area 2.
WHY
WHY WAS AMS 2.0 CREATED?
To increase alignment with HSPPS
To reduce the burden monitoring places on grantees, and increase the value of monitoring for all involved
The Enhanced AMS 2.0: The Foundation

6. What Grantees Need to Know (cont’d)
WHO
WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM AMS 2.0? AMS 2.0 will provide meaningful feedback to grantees addressing both performance and compliance. This will benefit grantees, the OHS, Regional Offices (ROs), and, most importantly, children and families.
WHEN
WHEN WILL REVIEWS BEGIN? CLASS® reviews will begin October Focus Area 1 and 2 reviews will begin November 2017.
WHERE
WHERE CAN GRANTEES LEARN MORE? Throughout the fall, the OHS will offer resources and training to grantees, delegate agencies, and other interested parties. To learn more visit the Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center and Aligned Monitoring Virtual Expo.
The Enhanced AMS 2.0: The Foundation

7. 1 Less onsite monitoring for grantees 2 Improved accountability
Key Principles
Key principles of AMS 2.0 include:
1 Less onsite monitoring for grantees
2 Improved accountability
3 Efficient use of available resources
The Enhanced AMS 2.0: The Foundation

8. How Does AMS 2.0 Differ from AMS 1.0?
MONITORING COMPONENT
AMS 2015–17
AMS
Targeted reviews occur if the OHS or the RO indicates the need
Targeted Reviews
Targeted reviews occur if the OHS or the RO indicates the need or if triggered by a Focus Area review
Reviews were compliance-driven
Findings
Reviews monitor performance, progress, and compliance
Reviewers visited as many classrooms as possible while onsite
Classroom Visits
Reviewers visit a sample of classrooms while onsite
Reviews were divided into content areas (EnvHS, FIS/ERSEA, CSSR, LGMS*)
Content Areas
Reviews are divided into focus areas that look across content
“Snapshot” monitoring that looked at a single point in time
Monitoring Philosophy
Progressive monitoring that looks for sustained improvement over time
Review Location
Onsite and off-site
Onsite
Similarities of AMS and AMS 2.0 include the onsite review of immediate health, safety, and fiscal concerns and CLASS®.
*EnvHS = Environmental Health and Safety; FIS/ERSEA = Fiscal/Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance; CSSR = Comprehensive Services and School Readiness; LGMS = Leadership, Governance, and Management Systems
The Enhanced AMS 2.0: The Foundation

9. What Reviews are Included in AMS 2.0?
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
FA 1
FA 2
(includes ERSEA*)
CLASS®*
Determination
Notification
*FA1=Focus Area 1, FA2 = Focus Area 2, ERSEA = Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance; CLASS® = Classroom Assessment Scoring System ®
The Enhanced AMS 2.0: The Foundation

10. AMS 2.0: FAs 1 and 2
To look at sustained implementation over time and to reduce burden, reviews no longer will be divided into multiple single content area reviews.
Instead, the FA 1 review will take a systemic view of a grantee’s program structure, systems, services, and staffing.
The FA 2 review allows grantees to demonstrate progress and program improvements across multiple years of program implementation, instead of a one-time snap shot.
CLASS® remains separate.
FA 1 Infrastructure
FA 2 Implementation
The Enhanced AMS 2.0: The Foundation

11. AMS 2.0 FAs: Introduction to FA 1
FA 1 is an opportunity for grantees to share the information used to inform their program design, including:
Strengths and needs of the community served.
Fiscal infrastructure and capacity.
Staffing and program design used to meet these needs.
Program governance and accountability.
Approach to education and child development services, health services, and family and community engagement.
The Enhanced AMS 2.0: The Foundation

12. AMS 2.0 FAs: Introduction to FA 1 (cont’d)
Document Review
Grant application
Program Information Report
Community Needs Assessment Summary
Past monitoring data
Self-Assessment data
Annual report
Other documents as needed
Off-site Interviews
The Reviewer will work with the grantee to schedule the appropriate staff and governing body members to participate in off-site conversations.
Methodology
FA 1 is an off-site review that includes:
A series of 45- to 120-minute off-site interviews, conducted virtually or by phone.
Prior to the off-site, Reviewers will review documents from the Head Start Enterprise System (HSES) to prepare for the FA 1 review. Reviewers must be knowledgeable about the grantee before the interviews begins.
The Enhanced AMS 2.0: The Foundation

13. AMS 2.0 FAs: Introduction to FA 1 (cont’d)
What Should I Expect from Reviewers?
Reviewers will do their homework: In advance of the Focus Area 1 off-site discussions, Reviewers will do their homework. Reviewers will talk with the Program and Fiscal Specialist and will review the grant application with particular attention to grantee goals. They also will review other documents in the Head Start Enterprise System such as the community assessment, past monitoring data, self-assessment data, annual reports, audits, or Program Information Report data.
Reviewers will engage in discussions with the grantee: The conversation is anchored in the protocol, which includes a series of topics to discuss. Unlike past protocols, this does not include a prescribed series of questions that the Reviewer must follow. Reviewers are trained ask questions that allow grantees the opportunity to describe their programs fully.
Adia / 8/28 – slide deck
The Enhanced AMS 2.0: The Foundation

14. AMS 2.0 FAs: Introduction to FA 2
FA 2 is an opportunity for grantees to demonstrate their ability to:
Track and assess their program’s performance.
Use data to drive results.
Make adjustments that help promote ongoing continuous improvement.
The Enhanced AMS 2.0: The Foundation

15. AMS 2.0 FAs: Introduction to FA 2 (cont’d)
Methodology
FA 2 is an onsite review that includes:
Conversations with grantee to understand the tools and information gathered to assess program performance.
Observations to explore the implementation of services and to understand how program staff are supported in providing quality services to children and families.
Fiscal analysis to understand the program’s fiscal capacity and infrastructure.
Typically, FA 2 reviews span 5 days and involve a review team consisting of three Reviewers, depending on program size.
Large grantees, grantees with multiple delegates, and agencies with multiple grants will have larger review teams.
Data Tour
Reviewers will take a tour of the data staff use to inform their daily work. This will require the participation of staff responsible for the following:
Family Partnership Building/Family Activities
ERSEA
Governance
Health, Mental Health, Disabilities, Safety
Early Childhood Education and Teaching Strategies
Overall Program Management and Evaluation
Center and Classroom Explorations
Classroom, center, and FCC observations
Conversations with Director, Service Area Managers
Conversations with Classroom Teachers following classroom observations
Fiscal Analysis
Conversations with Chief Fiscal Officer and others to understand fiscal infrastructure, capacity, and facilities
Conduct a sample review of financial transactions
The Enhanced AMS 2.0: The Foundation

16. AMS 2.0 FAs: Introduction to FA 2 (cont’d)
What Should I Expect?
Reviewers not limited to a script: The protocol identifies targeted topics to help grantees understand what Reviewers are tasked to learn while onsite. Grantees should not expect Reviewers to adhere strictly to a script. Keep in mind, the OHS directs Reviewers to ask follow-up questions to understand better the information presented by the grantee.
Check-the-box mentality is extinct : We expect grantees to tell us how they are implementing the HSPPS and providing quality services . Don’t tell us what you think we want to hear. Tell us and show us how you are implementing the HSPPS. We want to see how you manage the program every day!
Protocol is systemic―all sections are connected: Reviewers likely will be moving across different sections of the protocol fluidly. For example, in one 15-minute conversation, Reviewers may ask questions related to ERSEA, Health, and Family Engagement. Grantees should be prepared for Reviewers to take a more holistic approach to monitoring reviews.
The Enhanced AMS 2.0: The Foundation

17. Aligned Monitoring Virtual Expo
Additional Resources
For additional information about AMS 2.0, visit: Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center
Aligned Monitoring Virtual Expo
The Enhanced AMS 2.0: The Foundation