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Quality rating and improvement systems, or QRIS, is a nation-wide, systems approach to raising the quality of early learning programs, with the goal of ensuring that all children are ready for kindergarten. Nearly every state has or is in the process of implementing a QRIS.
QRIS raises early learning quality by creating a common definition of and standards for quality, using ratings and assessments to provide opportunities for programs to demonstrate quality, and coordinating supports to help providers continue to improve quality.
California started implementation of QRIS in 2011 with the federal Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge grant. This grant was awarded to help improve early childhood education systems and better serve the most vulnerable children.
Santa Clara County was one of the first sixteen counties in California to adopt the QRIS framework through QUALITY MATTERS…A STRONG START for kids–which uses the QRIS’s nationally recognized methods to assess, improve, and communicate the quality of early learning providers in Santa Clara County–with the aim of increasing access to high quality of early learning programs throughout our community. Today, QRIS is used in every county in California. |