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EEC Board Policy and Research Committee

Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)May 6, 2013

Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)

Massachusetts has developed high quality benchmarks, which are aligned with state early childhood standards (MA Early Learning Guidelines for Infants & Toddlers, Preschool Learning Guidelines and the Pre-K Common Core of the MA Curriculum Frameworks), as well as some Head Start, National Association of Educating Young Children accreditation, and other early learning and development standards.

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There are five categories in QRIS:

1.) Curriculum and Learning a. Curriculum, Assessment and Diversity b. Teacher/Child Relationships and Interactions

2.) Safe, Healthy Indoor and Outdoor Environments

3.) Workforce Qualifications and Professional Development a. Designated Program Administrator Qualifications and

Professional Development b. Program Staff Qualifications and Professional Development

4.) Family and Community Engagement

5.) Leadership, Management and Administration

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QRIS is a Comprehensive Assessmentthat Encompasses All Programmatic Aspects

Three Different Program Types

The five categories and two sub-categories remain consistent , however the individual standards have been adapted for effectiveness in three different program types:

Center-Based and School Based (CBSB) Family Child Care (FCC) After School and Out of School Time Programs (ASOST)

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2008 EEC began conducting early research to set the stage for the design of the

MA QRIS. EEC received guidance from EEC Board and EEC Advisory Team (February -

March 2008) Anne Mitchell presented overview of the QRIS Systems to EEC Board (March

2008) Initial QRIS stakeholder team developed the scope, purpose and mission of

MA QRIS. Evolved into MA QRIS EEC presents at CAYL QRIS Roundtable (July 2008)

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QRIS Timeline

2009 QRIS Standards presentation to Board (January 2009) ASOST Stakeholders Group convened Draft posted for public input- 377 survey respondents (March -June

2009 ) EEC conducted presentations to over 900 members of the field

about QRIS EEC reconvened the QRIS External Stakeholder team (June 2009) Initial QRIS Standards were reviewed and revised – evidence based

and measurable (November 2009 – January 2010) Feedback gathered from stakeholders at events with The CAYL

Institute (December 16, 2009)

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2010 Feedback provided on QRIS Standards at Advisory Team Meeting &

Stakeholders Meeting (January 2010) EDC hired to review and streamline standards (reduce duplication, remove

criteria with no research base) QRIS Standards-Provisional Version Approved by EEC Board (February 17,

2010) QRIS Pilot launched

2011 On-line application launched- QRIS Program Manager (QPM) (January 2011) Program supports established; training, coaches and resources through T4Q Financial Incentives Implemented

2012 3,494 programs created 3,803 applications in the Program Manager Six Program Quality Specialists were hired and trained on the Quality Rating

and Improvement System Pilot for the QRIS Validation Study begins

Recent QRIS Successes FY13 QRIS Improvement Grants are awarded for durable goods and

program planning Many Center-Based and School Based, Family Child Care, and After

School and Out of School Time programs sharing with PQS that they have been reflectively reviewing their program practices in a more comprehensive and thoughtful manner

Programs have become more familiar with the use of research-based measurement tools

Pilot study in development with NAEYC to reduce duplication of effort by accredited Center-Based programs

Work has started on a more user-friendly version of the QRIS Program Manager

Communication and collaboration with national organizations has improved

Approval granted to reassess RTT benchmarks Coordination of QRIS and QRIS related programs will be managed within

the EEC Policy Department

Program Quality Specialists and Education Specialists Support QRIS

In collaboration, EEC staff has:

• Reviewed over 1,400 QRIS applications between October 1, 2012 and May 1, 2013

• Verified over 700 Level 2 applications between October 1, 2012 and May 1, 2013

• Completed approximately 200 site visits • Facilitated QRIS Training Sessions throughout the state• Provided daily QRIS support via the telephone and email• Created resources for QRIS users • Presented QRIS information at dozens of early education venues

throughout the state to educators, administrators and stakeholders• Held monthly TA with EPS Coaches/Mentors working with programs on

QRIS

Quality Rating and Improvement System Program Engagement

Since the launch of the on-line, QRIS Program Manager (QPM) in January 2011 5,149 programs (unique count) have created a total of 6,704 QRIS applications (final status) using the QPM system. 5,571 of those applications have been granted a QRIS Level. (Data as of May 3, 2013).

Additional QRIS Data: There are 363 Programs that have participated in QRIS that

have since closed for business. Note: Metro (region 4) has been dissolved and towns have been reallocated to

regions 2, 3, 5 and 6.

Current Challenges

Review of the recent decision to “remove” QRIS standards, as voted on by the Board in February 2013

QRIS Exemption Policy

QRIS Level 2 and Level 3 participation requirements and EEC funding opportunities (excluding UPK, 391 Programs, IT Rate Increase and recent Opening Access)

Professional Development Requirements vs. Continuing Education Units

Additional Issues for Future Consideration

Comprehensive review and potential revision of some QRIS policies, including; Creation of QRIS manuals for both the programs and EEC specialists

supporting the programs Programs’ use of the measurement tools QRIS Standards Timelines for moving up levels in QRIS Additional training needed for EEC staff supporting QRIS Continued discussions around workforce qualifications- financial impact to

programs as educators continue to increase their professional qualifications, and educator attrition rates

Review of contracts for PD and support with consideration to creating better quality and more efficient delivery of QRIS trainings and QRIS support.

Level 3 Reliable Rater visits – policy, and planning for the financial impact Monitoring of QRIS Program Quality Grants and assessment of effectiveness

QRIS Improvement TimelineMay and June Discussion and creation of policy around current challenges; review of the

recent decision to “remove” QRIS standards, QRIS Exemption Policy, QRIS Level 2 and Level 3 participation requirements and EEC funding opportunities, and Professional Development Requirements vs. Continuing Education Units

Work on revision of RTT benchmarks Create resources to support QRIS Program Manager 2.0

July Launch QRIS Program Manager 2.0

July and August Work with grantees and contractors to increase availability of trainings Create a QRIS policy manual for programs and EEC Staff

July 2013 Begin comprehensive review of QRIS standards with working group Begin comprehensive review of assessment tools

Fall 2013 Begin discussions and planning for QRIS sustainability

Resources

QRIS Exemption Policy:http://www.eec.state.ma.us/docs1/qris/20110330_qris_exemption_qpm.pdf

Standards Removal Documents:http://www.eec.state.ma.us/docs1/qris/20110330_qris_exemption_qpm.pdf

http://www.eec.state.ma.us/docs1/qris/20110330_qris_exemption_qpm.pdf

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EMAIL SENT TO PROVIDERS ON NOVEMBER 8, 2012Dear Provider: This email gives providers information on the training requirement in specific areas of QRIS standards. EEC

defines training as that which meets the guidelines for Continuing Education Units (CEUs), Competency Education Credits (CECs), or college coursework. In response to several questions from providers who offer in-house training, including some scheduled for November 12, 2012 (a day we understand when many trainings are scheduled because it is a Holiday), this email strives to answer questions specifically about upcoming in-house training and the type of training provided.

Workshops and trainings that have taken place or will take place prior to December 31, 2012, do not require the

assignment of CEUs if an educator has not already secured them. These workshops and trainings will be grandfathered in as meeting the training standard. However, effective January 1, 2013, EEC requires that all training have either CEUs, CECs, or college credits associated with it. The goal is to ensure high quality training. Training must meet the guidelines for Continuing Education Units (CEUs), Competency Education Credits (CECs), or college coursework as stated within EEC Professional Development Policy P-EEC-13 for regulations.

EEC accepts CEUs awarded by:1. Accredited colleges or universities (See http://www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation/); 2. Training organizations with the International Association for Continued Education and Training (IACET)

accreditation (See http://www.iacet.org/);3. Massachusetts Association for the Education of Young Children (MAEYC) (See http://www.massaeyc.com) ; 4. National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) (See http://www.naeyc.org/);5. The National Coalition for Education and Cultural Programs (NCECP) (See http://www.ncecp.org/); EEC accepts CECs issued by Early Intervention at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. EEC accepts college courses offered by an institution that has been accredited by an accrediting agency or state

approval agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. (To access the database of accredited post-secondary institutions and programs, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/GetDownloadFile.aspx)

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