Cover: Local Quality Improvement Efforts and Outcomes Descriptive Study

Local Quality Improvement Efforts and Outcomes Descriptive Study

Final Report: A Governor's State Advisory Council on Early Learning and Care Project

Published in: Local Quality Improvement Efforts and Outcomes Descriptive Study: Final Report (Sacramento, CA: California Department of Education, July 26, 2013)

Posted on RAND.org on July 01, 2013

by Susan Muenchow, Aleksandra Holod, Heather E. Quick, Laura E. Hawkinson, Raquel L. González, Kiana Abram, Rachel A. Valentino, Deborah Parrish, Gail L. Zellman, Jill S. Cannon, et al.

Quality rating and improvement systems (QRISs) constitute an ambitious policy approach to improving early care and education practices and child outcomes. A QRIS is a uniform set of ratings, graduated by level of quality, used to assess and improve early learning and care programs. The objective ratings are intended to help families identify quality programs, guide providers in making improvements, and help policymakers make decisions about allocating resources and targeting technical assistance. A comprehensive QRIS also provides workforce development, financial incentives, and other supports to improve quality.

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