Public School-Based UPK Information Session

Goals

• Increase your understanding of QUALITYstarsNY • Answer your questions and concerns about participating in QUALITYstarsNY • Have you apply to participate!

Agenda

• • • • • • Welcome What is QUALITYstarsNY?

The implementation process The application process Questions and answers Survey

Watch the Video!

Key Elements of QRIS

Standards • For programs and practitioners aligned to the Early Learning Guidelines Communication & Outreach • For consumers, programs, practitioners and funders Quality Improvements • Professional development to meet and maintain standards Financial Supports •Ongoing, adequate and linked to standards Data, Monitoring & Accountability •For compliance with standards and revision of system

Design of QUALITYstarsNY

• • • • Statewide and voluntary Standards that outline high quality program practices Points based on meeting the standards 5 star levels

New York’s 5 Star Levels

Meeting basic standards Achieving satisfactory quality Achieving good quality Achieving very good quality Achieving excellent quality

QUALITYstarsNY Components

Standards Assessments Quality Improvements

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The Standards

• Developed using information from New York State regulations for UPK, Head Start Program Performance Standards, assessment tools and other research-based sources.

The Standards

• • 3 versions – – Center/School based care Family home-based care – School-age child care (waiting final approval) All versions have four categories – – Learning Environment Family Engagement – – Qualifications and Experience Management and Leadership

The Points

• • 360 possible points The percentage of points earned out of total points possible determines the rating

Points by Star Levels

Applicant 10% - 39% 40% - 59% 60% - 84% 85% - 100%

Distribution of Points

25% 30% 25% 20% Learning Environment Family Engagement Qualifications & Experience Management & Leadership

Observations

• Two main independent observation tools – Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS)

Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale

• • • Used during the assessment process Used nationally and internationally as a valid and reliable measure of classroom and program quality Used in 23 other statewide QRIS

Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS)

• • • • • Used in the quality improvement process Evaluate classroom interactions Assesses three domains of effective interactions: emotional support, classroom organization, and instructional support The CLASS tool provides a snapshot of the classroom interactions Support teachers’ unique professional development needs as well as set program wide goals

Quality Improvement

• • • • Quality Improvement Specialist Quality Improvement Plan Funds for resources Accountability and support

Site submits standard self study and documentation

The Rating Process

Site gets provisional star rating Site creates a QIP and engages in quality improvement Independent ERS is conducted Site staff completes profile in Aspire ERS information is incorporated into QIP Site is assigned active rating

2012 Implementation:

Public School-Based UPK Programs

Goals

• • • • • Goal: to implement QUALITYstarsNY in various regions in NYS SED funding to engage programs and providers in communities with Persistently Lowest Achieving schools Private funding to expand implementation Baseline ratings in 2012 and re-rating in 2014 Successfully engage programs in Aspire, New York’s registry of early childhood professionals

Participation Criteria

• UPK classroom(s) in a public school (operated by the school district)

Sept. – Oct. 2012 October 31, 2012 Nov. – Dec. 2012 Jan. – February 2013 February 1, 2013 March 1, 2013 March – May 2013 Summer 2013 Fall 2013

Timeline

• Recruitment • Applications to participate • Application deadline • Selections • Orientations • Standards Self-Study • Aspire documentation due • Standards Self-Study deadline • ERS observations • Quality Improvement Planning • Quality Improvement • CLASS observations

Progress to Date

• • • Approximately 450 community-based programs have started the process Participants are currently completing Aspire profiles and the standards self-study 60-80 school-based UPK programs across the state will be selected 23

Aspire

• • • • Teacher and staff professional development record Training and support will be provided Needed materials include: – Copies of official transcripts – Employment history – – Credential certificates Training certificates – Teacher certifications One time submission plus on-going proof of PD

Participant Expectations

• • • • • Attend orientation sessions in Nov – Dec 2012 Staff enter qualifications and experience in Aspire and submit appropriate documentation Complete all required paperwork Work with Quality Improvement Specialists Proper use of funds and resources

Incentives and Supports

• • • • At least $500 to purchase supplies and materials QUALITY Scholars for professional development including training and coursework All funds will be awarded in line with the Quality Improvement Plan Dedicated Quality Improvement Specialist support

Application

• • • Online application – Enter BEDS code number – Receive confirmation e-mail – Enter program information such as date opened, contact information, accreditation dates if applicable, enrollment information Deadline to apply: October 31, 2012 http://portal.qsny.welsfoundation.org/

UPK Selection Process

• • • Selections will be made in November 2012 All selections will be made by QUALITYstarsNY, not the recruiting agency School-based UPK programs will represent a diversity of sizes and locations

Questions?

More Information

• • Visit www.qualitystarsny.org

E-mail [email protected]