The effectiveness of quality interventions and the quality of child care programs can be measured in various ways. Documentation for meeting quality standards can be in the form of a checklist, a self-report or self-assessment, presentation of materials, or an observation or assessment. Most quality rating and improvement systems (QRISs) include valid and reliable assessments and evidence-based quality standards to measure observable quality and have established coordinated data systems to monitor progress.

Lead Agencies may be asked to describe the following:

1. Does the state measure the quality and effectiveness of child care programs and services in both child care centers and FCC homes? If yes, describe any tools used to measure child family teacher classroom, or provider improvements, and how the state evaluates those tools to positively impact children.
2. Describe the measurable indicators of progress that the state will use to evaluate its progress in improving the quality of child care programs and services in child care centers and FCC homes within the state and the data on the extent to which the state or territory has met these measures

Resources: Quality Assessment

The QRIS Resource Guide offers guidance and examples specific to data collection and evaluation that are useful for QRIS and other quality improvement initiatives.

Quality in Early Childhood Care and Education Settings: A Compendium of Measures, 2nd edition, provides detailed information about program assessment measures, including the purpose of the measures, intended ages and settings, administration of the measures, reliability, and validity.