Tiered Quality Rating Improvement System

California’s Approach to TQRIS California’s Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC) Regional Leadership Consortia (Consortia) is comprised of 17 lead agencies in 16 counties. The Consortia identified the desired outcome of the RTT-ELC Tiered Quality Rating Improvement System (TQRIS) as: “Ensure children entering kindergarten are ready to learn and succeed by increasing access to high-quality programs for children with high needs. California’s TQRIS is built upon a Quality Continuum Framework that is: o Supportive of kindergarten readiness o Built on tiers and incentives to be set at the local level o Based on a continuous program improvement process”3 To achieve this goal, California’s RTT-ELC funding supports the development and expansion of successful local programs focused on improving outcomes for children with high needs by implementing local TQRISs. California supports these local efforts by partnering with Consortia members who volunteer to strengthen their existing systems, align their systems to a common state framework, and serve as leaders and mentors to other programs and entities in their region. The majority of RTT-ELC funds support local activities.