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Quality Rating and Improvement System

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1 Quality Rating and Improvement System
Massachusetts Quality Rating and Improvement System

2 Quality Rating and Improvement System: What is it?
“A Quality Rating & Improvement System (QRIS) is a method to assess, define, and communicate the level of quality in early care & education and after-school settings. QRIS are systemic, addressing multiple aspects of early care and education and out -of -school time programs through a uniform approach that is available statewide. QRIS are similar to other consumer rating systems, in that they "rate" goods or services to provide customers with a better understanding about the quality of that item.” Stairsteps to Quality, Anne W. Mitchell (2005)

3 Purposes of the Massachusetts QRIS
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. Parents have easily accessible information about the quality of early care and education programs. Policymakers understand where and how to invest additional resources. High-quality early education and care and out of school opportunities are available throughout the Commonwealth that demonstrate improved outcomes for children. keep

4 The Massachusetts QRIS
a voluntary system an opportunity available to all programs that are part of the Commonwealth’s mixed delivery system, which includes child care centers public preschool programs private school preschool and kindergarten family child care homes after school and out-of-school time programs Head Start programs Is linked to Educator and Provider Supports, professional development, mentoring, technical assistance and training opportunities Is a way of demonstrating and supporting quality that is above and beyond licensing requirements NOTE: Some EEC contracts or grant opportunities may include participating in the QRIS as a grant/contract requirement TO: Income Eligible Contracted Providers FROM: Sandra Sherriff, Director of Contracts and Procurement DATE: December 17, 2010 RE: Accreditation Requirements Your agency holds one or more Income Eligible Contract with the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). The Income Eligible contracts have an initial duration of three years and are due to end on August 31, 2012 unless they are renewed. As stated in the Income Eligible Request for Response (RFR # 2009 EEC IECCFAP 026), in order for the contracts to be renewed, contractors may have to satisfy certain accreditation requirements and/or demonstrate a certain level of quality through the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). Through this Memorandum, EEC is exercising its right to require accreditation and/or specific quality standards as a condition of contract renewal. These requirements are important for improving and maintaining high quality care for subsidized families throughout the Commonwealth. The specific requirements that must be satisfied by the renewal date are outlined below by program type.  Please note that there may be opportunities in the near future for your agency to apply for funds to help cover some of the costs associated with the accreditation or QRIS process. Your agency should check on Comm-PASS ( and EEC’s website ( on a frequent basis for any such opportunities. Program Type Accreditation/QRIS Requirement Documentation Must be Submitted by May 31, 2012 Center-based programs serving infants, toddlers, and/or preschoolers Must have begun the accreditation process with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) by 8/31/12. Copy of current Accreditation Certificate OR confirmation of NAEYC’s receipt of an application Family Child Care providers affiliated with a System. Must be participating in the Massachusetts Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) by 8/31/12. EEC will be establishing a QRIS registration/ documentation process Center-based programs serving school-age children only. EEC will be establishing a QRIS registration/ documentation process Please note that should your agency decide that it does not want to participate in such requirements for any reason (e.g., cost, resources, staff time, etc.) and your agency understands that its contract(s) will not be renewed as a result, your agency must notify EEC of such decision in writing by January 1, EEC reserves the right to not renew any contracts should the contractor not satisfy the requirements outlined above. EEC reserves the right to extend contracts on a short-term basis for those contractors that do not satisfy the applicable requirements outlined above, in order to afford parents a reasonable period of time to transition to other programs

5 QRIS Process for continuous quality improvements
Review QRIS Standards for QRIS Program Type Start QRIS Application & Self-Assessment (QPM) Update Professional Qualifications Registry (PQR) Prepare & Complete QRIS Documentation Submit QRIS Application & Self Assessment (QPM) Send Summary Profile & related documents to EEC (MAIL) EEC Reviews and Verifies QRIS & PQR Information EEC works with programs to schedules ERS Reliable Rater Visit (Level 3+) Program Receives QRIS Rating Program Reviews Results & Update Plan for Quality Improvements Continue to Implement Quality Improvements QRIS Process for continuous quality improvements Review QRIS standards for your QRIS program type Start a the QRIS Application Self-Assessment in QPM Update needed information in the PQR for related Educator qualification and training Respond to the questions for each standard criteria Complete all measurement tools and enter scores Locate/ all other Required Documentation “Add Document” Select the measurement method to demonstrate how you meet the standard Review & Print Draft of QRIS Summary profile Prepare documentation for EEC review On each document include your QRIS application # and QRIS Document # that programs will be submitting as part of your QRIS Application Complete Final steps to submit your applications (once this is done changes can not be made) Send QRIS Application Summary Profile and related documents to: MA Department of Early Education and Care 51 Sleeper Street, 4th Floor Boston, MA, Att: QRIS Application

6 There are QRIS Standards for Each QRIS Program Type
Center-based/ School-Based Programs For use by center-based and school-based programs, including license-exempt center-based programs (i.e. public school preschools, Montessori schools, or faith-based affiliated programs serving infants, toddlers, preschool-age children). Family Child Care For use by Family Child Care homes Afterschool/Out of School Time Programs For use by After School and Out of School Time programs, serving school-age children and youth (kindergarten and up) outside of the hours of the regular school day. Programs may be located on public school premises.

7 MA QRIS Standards Categories & Subcategories
Curriculum and Learning: 1A. Curriculum, Assessment, and Diversity 1B. Teacher- Child Interactions Safe, Healthy Indoor and outdoor Environments: 2A. Safe, Healthy Indoor and outdoor Environments Workforce Qualifications and Professional Development: 3A. Program Administrators 3B. Program Staff/Educators Family and Community Engagement 4A. Family and Community Engagement Leadership, Management and Administration: 5A. Leadership, Management, and Administration 5B. Supervision

8 QRIS Levels: “Levels”: There are presently four levels in the QRIS Standards. Each program will need to meet all requirements of the standards in the proceeding level before advancing to the next level. “Meet Requirements of Level 1 Plus” A fifth level that builds connections between program quality, educator quality and positive outcomes for children is forthcoming. “Levels”: Uses the existing structure of “Levels”. Each program will still need to meet all requirements of proceeding level before advancing to the next “level”. More meaningful terminology vs. Level 1, 2, 3 for Educators, and the public will be developed for for discussions Revised Standard: Using the Principles guiding the revision process, these are the current standards presently referred to as the Proposed Revisions to the Provisional QRIS Standards or proposed Provisional QRIS Standards (revised). (The most current version out for public comment and posted on web site are revised as of 11/29). Required Observation Tool: The Environment Rating Scales (ERS) will be required by all QRIS participants regardless of program type, or accreditation status, to ensure that one measurement tool is used consistently across program type. At each level, programs will be expected demonstrate a progressively higher score. Score of X with no item below X. The ERS tool will be required as a self assessment for Level 2 and above of the QRIS Standards, and an outside reliable rater will conduct and on-site ERS observation for programs who have self-assessed at QRIS LEVEL 3 or above. ( SEE ERS SLIDE to Illustrate use across program Type) Additional Required Observation Tool: This section has been added, to supplement the ERS tool, to effectively measure additional process (Teacher- Child Interactions) and Structural (leadership & program administration indicators of quality. Required Documentation: Materials that will be reviewed by EEC as “evidence” of meeting the Standard/ Measurement) These often include other MA specific requirements, such as Documentation of Professional Development Course work/ Training in the MA PQ Registry, demonstrated used of the MA Curriculum Guidelines. (green book) etc. Head Start Documentation Option: The Head Start option – also list the required documentation that a Head start program will have to submit, that is MA specific and/or not addressed via Head Start Performance Standards. Accreditation Program Documentation Option: The Accreditation Program option – list the required documentation that an Accredited program will have to submit, that is MA specific and/or not addressed via the Accreditation Standard Through the crosswalk a standard by standard comparison was conducted between the QRIS Standard and the Head Start Performance Standard and ACCREDIATION. For programs that are Head Start Programs/Accredited in good standing- some of the QRIS required documentation may be addressed through Head start Performance requirements or Accreditations. Programs are expected to indicate the related Head start Performance Standard / Accreditation that meets the QRIS standard, and maintain documentation on-site in accordance with Head Start, the accrediting body, and MA Licensing regulations.

9 QRIS Levels and Standard Criteria
QRIS Standard: This is the criteria that programs must meet. These indicators of program quality are grounded in research and identified as best practice (used in other state’s QRIS, and/or identified MA stakeholders. In the QRIS Program Manager, the standards are organized and numbered as follows: 1A.1.1 (Subcategory. Level. Standard Criteria #) “Levels”: Uses the existing structure of “Levels”. Each program will still need to meet all requirements of proceeding level before advancing to the next “level”. More meaningful terminology vs. Level 1, 2, 3 for Educators, and the public will be developed for for discussions Revised Standard: Using the Principles guiding the revision process, these are the current standards presently referred to as the Proposed Revisions to the Provisional QRIS Standards or proposed Provisional QRIS Standards (revised). (The most current version out for public comment and posted on web site are revised as of 11/29). Required Observation Tool: The Environment Rating Scales (ERS) will be required by all QRIS participants regardless of program type, or accreditation status, to ensure that one measurement tool is used consistently across program type. At each level, programs will be expected demonstrate a progressively higher score. Score of X with no item below X. The ERS tool will be required as a self assessment for Level 2 and above of the QRIS Standards, and an outside reliable rater will conduct and on-site ERS observation for programs who have self-assessed at QRIS LEVEL 3 or above. ( SEE ERS SLIDE to Illustrate use across program Type) Additional Required Observation Tool: This section has been added, to supplement the ERS tool, to effectively measure additional process (Teacher- Child Interactions) and Structural (leadership & program administration indicators of quality. Required Documentation: Materials that will be reviewed by EEC as “evidence” of meeting the Standard/ Measurement) These often include other MA specific requirements, such as Documentation of Professional Development Course work/ Training in the MA PQ Registry, demonstrated used of the MA Curriculum Guidelines. (green book) etc. Head Start Documentation Option: The Head Start option – also list the required documentation that a Head start program will have to submit, that is MA specific and/or not addressed via Head Start Performance Standards. Accreditation Program Documentation Option: The Accreditation Program option – list the required documentation that an Accredited program will have to submit, that is MA specific and/or not addressed via the Accreditation Standard Through the crosswalk a standard by standard comparison was conducted between the QRIS Standard and the Head Start Performance Standard and ACCREDIATION. For programs that are Head Start Programs/Accredited in good standing- some of the QRIS required documentation may be addressed through Head start Performance requirements or Accreditations. Programs are expected to indicate the related Head start Performance Standard / Accreditation that meets the QRIS standard, and maintain documentation on-site in accordance with Head Start, the accrediting body, and MA Licensing regulations.

10 Example: 1A. Curriculum, Assessment, and Diversity
Level 1 1A.1.1 Meets Licensing regulations or non-licensable or license exempt and meets EEC licensing requirements. Level 2 1A.2.1 Educators demonstrate completion of professional development in curriculum, screening tools, and formative assessment. 1A.2.2 Materials reflect the language and culture of the children in the classroom, their communities, and represent the diversity of society. Level 3 1A.3.1 Staff include parental input in the progress reports. 1A.3.2 Staff has received formal professional development in the curriculum; using the MA Guidelines for Preschool Learning Standards or Infant / Toddler Learning; documenting children's progress; and working with children from diverse languages and cultures and second language acquisition. 1A.3.3 Program uses screening tools, progress reports, formative assessments, and information gathered through observation to set goals for individual children across all developmental domains.  1A.3.4 Staff demonstrate language and literacy skills either in English or the child's language that provide a model for children. Level 4 1A.4.1 Program uses a curriculum that is aligned with MA guidelines for Preschool Learning Standards and the Infant/ Toddler Learning Guidelines. 1A.4.2 Program uses progress reports, appropriate screening tools, formative assessments, and information gathered through observation to inform curriculum planning, and use results to monitor each child’s progress across developmental domains, and inform program decision-making (e.g. curriculum content, strategies for improved staff implementation, and professional development.

11 Sample: QRIS Application & Self Assessment Reference
Available online QRIS Resources for Programs Level – QRIS Standards – - format of standards are updated to show clear alignment of standard – measurement tools and documentation options. Grey area= reference that was listed in the QRIS standards. ( May partially meet the criteria or Equivalent Measurement Method is a Measurement Tool or requires that programs submit information in the PQ Registry. Measurement Tools, PQ Registry information, – can not be substituted with accreditation or Proof of Head Start program.

12 QRIS Measurement Tools: Environment Rating Scales
Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale, Revised Edition ITERS-R is designed to assess center-based child care programs for infants and toddlers up to 30 months of age. Also available Spanish. Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, Revised Edition ECERS-R is designed to assess group programs for children of preschool through kindergarten age, 2½ through 5. Expanded score sheet and additional notes improve accuracy in scoring. Also available Spanish. Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale, Revised Edition FCCERS-R is designed to assess family child care programs conducted in a provider's home for children from infancy through school-age. This resource is also available Spanish. The School-Age Care Environment Rating Scale SACERS is a scale designed to assess group-care programs for children of school age, 5 to 12. It contains full instructions for using the scale, a training guide, and notes clarifying selected items are also included.

13 QRIS Measurement Tools (Cont.)
Program Administration Scale (Center- School based) PAS is a reliable and easy-to-administer tool designed to assess quality in ten areas: human resources development, personnel cost and allocation, center operations, child assessment, fiscal management, program planning and evaluation, family partnerships, marketing and public relations, technology, and staff qualifications. Business Administration Scale Family Childcare BAS is a reliable tool for measuring the overall quality of business and professional practices in family child care settings. When used with FCCERS-R these instruments provide a comprehensive picture of the quality of the family child care learning environment and the business practices that support the program. The Assessing Afterschool Program Practices Tool APT is designed for programs serving children from kindergarten through middle school. It includes two tools. The APT Observation Tool (APT O) focuses on observable program practices; and the APT Program Questionnaire (APT Q), a self-assessment tool which examines other aspects of program quality ,such as program planning and connections with schools and parents. For More Info about PAS and BAS For More Info about APT:

14 QRIS Measurement Tools (Cont.)
Arnett -Caregiver Interaction Scale (Arnett-CIS) The 26-item Arnett-Caregiver Interaction Scale can be used without modification in both center and home-based settings. The items measure the emotional tone, discipline style, and responsiveness of the caregiver in the classroom. Available for Download from EEC’s Website The Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) The CLASS is a tool for observing and assessing the qualities of interactions among teachers and children in classrooms. It measures the emotional, organizational, and instructional supports provided by teachers that are known from research to contribute to children’s social development and academic achievement. Strengthening Families Self-Assessment Strengthening Families Self-Assessment offers tools to help programs make small but significant changes in their day-to-day practice to build Protective Factors with families. Strengthening Families Program Self Assessment is should be used by all programs participating in QRIS at Level 2. For More Info about CLASS For more Info about the Strengthening Families Self Assessment Tools:

15 QRIS Measurement Tools: Environment Rating Scales
The Environment Rating Scales are required by all QRIS participants regardless of program type or accreditation status to ensure consistency among the measurement tools used across the mixed delivery system. All programs participating in QRIS are required to complete the appropriate ERS tool for each classroom/group setting as a self-assessment for Level 2. ERS self-assessment must be conducted within 12 months of the QRIS Application submission date. For Level 3 and above, programs will need to request an outside reliable raters visit with their QRIS Application.

16 Providing Supporting Documentation:
To demonstrate that programs meet the measurements Measurement Tools and Scores: ERS, PAS, BAS, APT, and CLASS are reported directly in QRIS Program Manager using the “Add Document – Measurement Tool” for EEC verification. Evidence in PQ Registry: Several of the QRIS Standards require that programs demonstrate that the program administrator and educators working at each program meet specific qualifications, work experience, and have professional development and/or training in certain topics. This information should all be documented in the Professional Qualifications Registry (PQR) and will be reviewed by EEC as part of the QRIS Application & Self-Assessment.

17 QRIS Documentation Required Documentation: Materials that will be reviewed by EEC as “evidence” of meeting the Standard/ Measurement . This documentation is submitted in hardcopy with the QRIS Application Summary Profile (PDF). Head Start Documentation: QRIS standards are aligned to specified Head Start Performance Standards. Programs provide a official documentation of their current Head Start program status. National Accreditation Documentation QRIS standards are aligned to specific national accreditation standards. Programs provide a copy of their current accreditation certificate. National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) National Accreditation for Family Child Care (NAFCC) Council of Accreditation for Afterschool Programs. (COA)

18 QRIS Policy Update QRIS Exemption Requests EEC has increased the number of exemptions a program may request during their QRIS Self-Assessment process from one(1) exemption request to four (4) exemption requests. QRIS Policy Clarification Qualifications and Professional Development:   In considering workforce qualification and professional development requirements, as outlined in the QRIS standards, the terms “All Staff”, “staff” and “educators” refers to those educators that has been employed by the site for 12 months or more and should be considered in a program’s QRIS self-assessment process. Policy on Communicating QRIS Participation and Ratings In response to feedback that EEC gathered during the February and March 2011 QRIS Informational sessions, EEC has established the following policy relative to posting of QRIS Ratings: Information about QRIS participation that will not be posted publicly in 2011: For QRIS participants that receive a verified QRIS Rating before January 2012, this QRIS Rating will be shared directly with that individual program, but not posted publically in 2011. This change is intended to offer additional time for educators and programs to use and engage in the available resources and supports available through QRIS to meet and maintain and the indicators of quality in the QRIS Standards, during this initial year of full QRIS implementation. Information about QRIS participation that will be posted publicly in 2011 includes: Lists of Programs and Educators that are participating in QRIS, and their QRIS program type will be posted and updated periodically. Aggregate program participation in the QRIS When information is shared in the aggregate, program names are not used. For example: posted information may include the number of programs by QRIS program type, number of programs that have submitted QRIS Self-Assessment information, or another demographic or statistical characteristic about a group of programs or educators) Guidance on “What Quality Looks Like” for families and communities, which will include information gathered through the QRIS, and will be used in EEC’s communications strategy with United Way to support families and the public in understanding quality aligned with the QRIS. QRIS Policy Update: QRIS Exemption Requests The Commonwealth’s QRIS System has increased the number of exemptions a program may request during their QRIS Self-Assessment process from one (1) exemption request to four (4) exemption requests. Requesting an exemption is an option that program may use to qualify for a QRIS self -assessment rating, when programs have identified specific barriers to meeting the standards, at one particular QRIS Rating Level, and may be request when all but (4) four standard criteria within that level are met. Of the 4 exemptions, three (3) of these exemptions may be applied to standards criteria that programs should resolve within 12 months of their QRIS application submission date and, one (1) of these exemptions may be applied towards one standard criterion that may require a significant length of time to achieve. QRIS participants are expected to submit a written request for each exemption through QRIS Program Manager (QPM) in their on-line QRIS application and self-assessment, as these exemption requests are not automatically approved. Additional information about QRIS Exemption Requests is posted on EEC’s website on the QRIS Resources for Programs page. Requesting a QRIS Exemption      QRIS Policy Clarifications: Workforce Qualifications and Professional Development: In considering workforce qualification and professional development requirements, as outlined in the QRIS standards, the terms “All Staff”, “staff” and “educators” for the purpose of determining, whether a program meets the measurement, refers to those staff that has been employed by the site for 12 months or more and should be considered in a program’s QRIS self-assessment process. Additionally, staff, who have been employed at a site less than 12 months, should be included in the number of educators working at the program in the QRIS application and have an active profile in the Professional Qualifications Registry (PQR), however, for the purposes of the QRIS Rating review and verification process, staff that do not meet the full requirements and have been employed at the site for less than 12 months, from the QRIS application submission date, will not be counted in the QRIS review and verification process. Additional Information about Requesting an Exemption is posted on EEC’s website -QRIS Resources for Programs

19 Exemption Request – QRIS Policy Update
Requesting an exemption is an option that program may use to qualify for a QRIS self -assessment rating, when programs have identified specific barriers to meeting the standards, at one particular QRIS Rating Level. Program should make a written request each exemption through their on-line QRIS application and self-assessment in the QRIS Program Manager (QPM), as these exemption requests are not automatically approved. Programs may apply for up to 4 exemptions, per QRIS program type, on their QRIS self-assessment application to self assess at one particular QRIS level. Three (3) of these exemptions may be applied to standards criteria that programs should have resolved within 12 months of their QRIS application submission date, One (1) of these exemptions may be applied towards one standard criterion that may require a significant length of time to achieve, for example obtainment of a BA.  QRIS Policy Update:  QRIS Exemption Requests The Commonwealth’s QRIS System has increased the number of exemptions a program may request during their QRIS Self-Assessment process from one (1) exemption request to four (4) exemption requests. Requesting an exemption is an option that program may use to qualify for a QRIS self -assessment rating, when programs have identified specific barriers to meeting the standards, at one particular QRIS Rating Level, and may be request when all but (4) four standard criteria within that level are met.  Of the 4 exemptions, three (3) of these exemptions may be applied to standards criteria that programs should resolve within 12 months of their QRIS application submission date and, one (1) of these exemptions may be applied towards one standard criterion that may require a significant length of time to achieve.  QRIS participants are expected to submit a written request for each exemption through QRIS Program Manager (QPM) in their on-line QRIS application and self-assessment, as these exemption requests are not automatically approved.  Additional information about QRIS Exemption Requests is posted on EEC’s website on the QRIS Resources for Programs page.   Requesting a QRIS Exemption      QRIS Policy Clarifications: Workforce Qualifications and Professional Development: In considering workforce qualification and professional development requirements, as outlined in the QRIS standards, the terms “All Staff”, “staff” and “educators” for the purpose of determining, whether a program meets the measurement, refers to those staff that has been employed by the site for 12 months or more and should be considered in a program’s QRIS self-assessment process.  Additionally, staff, who have been employed at a site less than 12 months, should be included in the number of educators working at the program in the QRIS application and have an active profile in the Professional Qualifications Registry (PQR), however, for the purposes of the QRIS Rating review and verification process, staff that do not meet the full requirements and have been employed at the site for less than 12 months, from the QRIS application submission date, will not be counted in the QRIS review and verification process. FY11 QRIS Program Quality Improvement Grant Amendments EEC in conjunction with its T4Q partners made four amendments to the QRIS Grant Application and Submission process.  A summary of these changes are noted below: As part of the QRIS Grant Application process programs were required to complete their QRIS Applications and Self-Assessments using the online QRIS Program Manager, and send a copy of their QRIS Summary Profile and their supporting QRIS documentation to EEC by March 21, To accommodate participants scheduled to attend the additional QRIS Foundational Training sessions, EEC extended these deadlines as follows: The date for completing and submitting your QRIS Application and Self-assessment as “Final – Submitted to EEC” was extended from March 21, 2011 to March 28, 2011. The date for submitting supporting documentation was extended from March 21, 2011 to June 1, 2011. In addition to the four QRIS Exemption Requests available to all QRIS participants, programs applying for FY11 QRIS Program Quality Improvement Grant were extended an opportunity to request additional exemptions as related to the implementation and documentation of the Environment Rating Scale self-assessment using the ITERS-R, ECERS-R, FCCERS-R and SACERS. This ERS Exemption is valid until June 1, 2011, at which time programs will need to document their completion of the ERS classroom observation scores through the QRIS Program Manager.  In response to technical challenges with the on-line QRIS grant application the deadline for completing the on-line portion of the QRIS Grant Application was extended from April 1, 2011 to April 4, 2011 at 4 p.m.  Additional Information about Requesting an Exemption is posted on EEC’s website -QRIS Resources for Programs

20 Amendment to the QRIS 2011 Program Quality Improvement Grant
 QRIS Application and Self-assessment information was extended from March 21, 2011 to March 28, 2011 and the date for submitting supporting documentation was extended from March 21, 2011 to June 1, 2011.  ERS Exemption Request additional exemptions as related to the implementation and documentation of the Environment Rating Scale self-assessment using the ITERS-R, ECERS-R, FCCERS-R and SACERS. This ERS Exemption is valid until June 1, 2011.  QRIS On-line grant Application: The on-line QRIS grant application the deadline for completing the QRIS Online Grant Application was extended from April 1, 2011 to April 4, at 4p.m. Amendment to the QRIS 2011 Program Quality Improvement Grant FY11 QRIS Program Quality Improvement Grant Amendments EEC in conjunction with its T4Q partners made four amendments to the QRIS Grant Application and Submission process. A summary of these changes are noted below: As part of the QRIS Grant Application process programs were required to complete their QRIS Applications and Self-Assessments using the online QRIS Program Manager, and send a copy of their QRIS Summary Profile and their supporting QRIS documentation to EEC by March 21, To accommodate participants scheduled to attend the additional QRIS Foundational Training sessions, EEC extended these deadlines as follows: The date for completing and submitting your QRIS Application and Self-assessment as “Final – Submitted to EEC” was extended from March 21, 2011 to March 28, 2011. The date for submitting supporting documentation was extended from March 21, 2011 to June 1, 2011. In addition to the four QRIS Exemption Requests available to all QRIS participants, programs applying for FY11 QRIS Program Quality Improvement Grant were extended an opportunity to request additional exemptions as related to the implementation and documentation of the Environment Rating Scale self-assessment using the ITERS-R, ECERS-R, FCCERS-R and SACERS. This ERS Exemption is valid until June 1, 2011, at which time programs will need to document their completion of the ERS classroom observation scores through the QRIS Program Manager. In response to technical challenges with the on-line QRIS grant application the deadline for completing the QRIS Online Grant Application was extended from April 1, 2011 to April 4, at p.m. For programs that have not had an opportunity to complete their Environment Rating Scales (ITERS-R, ECERS-R, FCCERS-R, SACERS) for all classrooms or settings by March 28, 2011 may request an exemption for the related standards that is valid until to June 1, 2011.

21 Posting QRIS Ratings 2011 – QRIS Policy Update
EEC has revised the following policy relative to posting of QRIS Ratings publicly during FY 2011 EEC to post FY2011 ratings on EEC website (participants will be notified that this information will be shared publicly) Revised Policy For QRIS participants that receive a verified QRIS Rating before January 2012, this QRIS Rating will be shared directly with that individual program, but not posted publicly in 2011. Information about QRIS participation that will be posted publicly in 2011 includes: Lists of Programs and Educators that are participating in QRIS, and their QRIS program type will be posted and updated periodically. Aggregate information about program participation Commissioner’s Office – Disseminated March 10, 2011 In response to feedback that EEC gathered during the February and March 2011 QRIS Informational sessions, EEC has established the following policy relative to posting of QRIS Ratings: Information about QRIS participation that will not be posted publicly in 2011: • For QRIS participants that receive a verified QRIS Rating before January 2012, this QRIS Rating will be shared directly with that individual program, but not posted publically in     This change is intended to offer additional time for educators and programs to use and engage in the available resources and supports available through QRIS to meet and maintain and the indicators of quality in the QRIS Standards, during this initial year of full QRIS implementation. Information about QRIS participation that will be posted publicly in 2011 includes: • Lists of Programs and Educators that are participating in QRIS, and their QRIS program type will be posted and updated periodically. • Aggregate program participation in the QRIS    (When information is shared in the aggregate, program names are not used.  For example: posted information may include the number of programs by QRIS program type, number of programs that have submitted QRIS Self-Assessment information, or another demographic or statistical characteristic about a group of programs or educator)

22 FAQs: Evidence of Meeting EEC Licensing
What documentation satisfies “evidence of meeting EEC Licensing Requirements” Programs should submit the Acknowledgment of Self-Assessment: Program Meets EEC Licensing Standards form to meet the required documentation for EEC License-Exempt Program The self-assessment should indicate that the program is in compliance with EEC Licensing regulations (606 CMR 7.00: Standards for Licensure or Approval of Family Child Care; Small Group, and School Age and Large Group ad School Age Child Care Programs This self-assessment should indicate that the program is in compliance with EEC Licensing regulations (606 CMR 7.00: Standards for Licensure or Approval of Family Child Care; Small Group, and School Age and Large Group ad School Age Child Care Programs - (Same as PILOT – see sample content below) I, ______________________(name of contact that completed self-assessment) ______________, attest that a program self-assessment was completed on _______ enter date or range of dates______ which revealed that the site applying to participate in QRIS , ___________________ name of program________________ is in compliance, with 606 CMR 7.00: STANDARDS FOR THE LICENSURE OR APPROVAL OF FAMILY CHILD CARE; SMALL GROUP AND SCHOOL AGE AND LARGE GROUP AND SCHOOL AGE CHILD CARE PROGRAMS as detailed at: ashttp:// and agree to participate in an EEC licensing visit, after April 1, 2011 (the licensing visit will not be for the purposes of licensing the program but to better understand the program’s alignment with EEC licensing regulations and the QRIS Standards). Please note: Programs/Providers should maintain documentation of the Level 1 self-assessment of compliance with licensing regulations to produce during EEC QRIS visits.

23 EEC’s Communications Strategies Infrastructure Campaign
Family & Consumer Engagement This strategy and infrastructure will communicate: The current science related to raising young children; and The critical elements of high quality programming, such as curriculum and learning the importance of early childhood environments as the framework for children’s learning qualifications and professional development of early childhood educators the key role families play as partners in their child’s education; and the role of leadership in early education and care. EEC’s Communications Strategies Infrastructure Campaign EEC has been working with the United Way, the Frameworks Institute and mixed delivery system stakeholders to create an overarching statewide communication infrastructure and message to specifically raise public awareness and understanding regarding the importance of quality early education and care FY11 Communication Infrastructure Strategy and Campaign – Fund Code 112 CCDF ARRA Funds August June 2011 The overall priority of this grant is to support EEC’s strategic direction of creating and implementing an external and internal communications strategy and infrastructure that raises awareness regarding the importance of a child’s earliest years, and advocates for and conveys the value of early education and care to stakeholders, consumers and the general public while positioning EEC as a national education leader.   This grant will support EEC in collaborating with key partners and leveraging collective resources to establish an overarching communications infrastructure for both internal and external communications. The communications strategy will: target multiple audiences for direct consumer education and communication include the role of families (and partnerships with families) in the development of children align with the EEC strategic plan, the Governor’s Readiness Action Agenda report, and the recommendations of the Birth to School Age Task Force align with other agency efforts and initiatives, and state government strategies for young children and their families across multiple agencies connect to public schools, and local towns and cities

24 QRIS Application Status* By Region
Central MA Metro Metro Boston Northeast Southeast and Cape Western MA Grand Total Draft 134 100 126 136 121 95 712 After School/ Out of School Time 9 26 18 13 3 16 85 Center/School Based 30 65 44 54 61 47 303 Family Child Care 64 69 57 32 326 Final - Submitted to EEC 173 109 215 188 206 154 1045 After School/Out of School Time 19 35 31 34 29 192 51 60 71 104 90 461 103 14 99 73 68 392 Grand Total 307 209 341 324 327 249 1757 Please note that Draft information in some cased may be a duplicate application That a program may have created in Error, Or may be an application that a program started to meet other needs beyond QRIS – (UPK/ HS applicants etc. *As of March 28, 2011

25 Final QRIS Applications Received by Region and Self-Assessed Levels*
Central MA Metro Metro Boston Northeast Southeast and Cape Western MA Grand Total Level 1 151 88 189 166 182 140 916 Level 2 15 16 22 23 13 104 Level 3 7 5 9 21 Level 4 1 4 173 109 215 188 206 154 1045 *As of March 28, 2011


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