Early Learning Quality Assurance Report (Section 161.217, RSMo)
“ 1. The department of elementary and secondary education, in collaboration with the Missouri Head Start State Collaboration Office and the departments of health and senior services, mental health, and social services, shall develop, as a three-year pilot program, a voluntary early learning quality assurance report. The early learning quality assurance report shall be developed based on evidence-based practices.”
As directed, the aforementioned group has reviewed quality rating and improvement systems nationwide. Utilizing this information the group developed a draft framework for a quality assurance report pilot. Moving forward with this framework, input from families and early learning professionals from all aspects of the field is requested. Interested parties may submit their input via a survey. The survey will be available through November 5, 2018.
Quality Assurance Report Draft Framework
Early Learning Quality Assurance Report Survey
If you would like to provide additional information regarding the quality assurance pilot you may email the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) at webreplyimprece@dese.mo.gov.
The DESE webpage will be updated periodically as new information is available.
For more information about Missouri's quality assurance report pilot, visit http://www.moga.mo.gov/LawsEnacted/2016/1610000217NSB06381C.HTML
What is a quality assurance report? It is commonly called a "Quality Rating Improvement System":
"A QRIS is a systemic approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early and school-age care and education programs. Similar to rating systems for restaurants and hotels, QRIS award quality ratings to early and school-age care and education programs that meet a set of defined program standards. By participating in their State’s QRIS, early and school-age care providers embark on a path of continuous quality improvement. Even providers that have met the standards of the lowest QRIS levels have achieved a level of quality that is beyond the minimum requirements to operate." - National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance