North Carolina-QRIS

In this module, you have explored a number of current trends in early childhood education. One trend that has been embedded into early childhood education systems is Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS). As you learned, QRIS is a way to assess, improve, and communicate information about quality in early care and education settings.

It is a cross-sector framework to link and align components of programs in a range of settings, including family child care, child care centers, Head Start programs, early intervention, and out of school time programs. In this assignment, you will take a closer look at QRIS systems.

For this assignment:

1. Review your state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (North Carolina). Note: See links on the Current Trends in Early Childhood Education page to get started.  https://learning.rasmussen.edu/courses/1/WIN20T1-ONP-EEC4485-01/content/_5522052_1/res/index.html 
2. Using proper grammar and spelling, create a PowerPoint presentation consisting of 1 title slide, at least 10 content slides, and a reference slide containing APA formatted references.
3. The PowerPoint must highlight the key points of the QRIS, including:

   An overview (who can participate, is it required or optional, is it a point system or block system or some other way of ranking, etc.)
   Standards summary
   Monitoring and accountability summary
   Program and practitioner supports
   Fiscal incentives
   Family and consumer engagement
   Evaluation findings, if any
   Any other points of interest

Minnesota Parent Aware

Rasmussen College

This paper is being submitted on August 27, 2017, for Heather Hovland’s EEC4485 Early Childhood Education Advocacy, Research and Policy course.

Parent Aware
Parent Aware uses a Star rating system for quality.
Parents Aware offers professional growth for educators and coaches.
Supports practices and programs that close the gap in learning.
Parent Aware serves and encourages diversity in programs.
Includes family and community practices to create and enhance strength.
Parent Aware is designed for school, home and center settings.
Parent Aware uses a 4 star rating system.
Each star includes the star level before it.

The Parent Aware rating system is a volunteer program in the state of Minnesota. There are many benefits for daycares, school settings and centers to be a part of this program. The program highly encourages consistent, solid curriculum and family engagement. The goal is to create a well balanced, equitable and quality learning experience for all children.
2

Parent Aware is designed by Early Childhood professionals and has shown significant growth in development in children that live in the poverty sector.
3

What Are The Standards?
Consistent routines to support children.
Includes cultural awareness and family interests.
Community resource availability.
Anecdotal notes and observation of children is a key.
Professional Ethics in the setting.
Evaluates and sets goals in all areas of classroom and learning.
School readiness activities.
Transition activities and readiness.
Information sharing to meet the needs of the families.
Continued learning for professionals.

Each star is dependent on the star ahead of it. For instance to receive a 2 tar rating one needs to meet the standards for a 1 star program plus the standards for 2 stars.
4

What Are The Standards?
Works closely with Minnesota’s Early Learning Standards.
Uses teaching techniques that are engaging and warm.
Uses transitions in learning.
Uses an approved assessment system for tracking child development.
Using best practices encourages ongoing improvement.
Incorporates cultural customs.
Encourages family participation and inclusion.
Seeks family and community feedback on programming.
Includes children and families with special needs.
Highly trained and qualified educators.
Professional development plan.
Uses a nutrition plan and includes health and safety activities.

There are about 5 to 6 standards per star. Each standard encourages growth in the center or daycare setting as well as strengthens the child’s learning.
5

Monitoring and Accountability
Monitored by the Department of Human Services.
Classes are observed by the University of Minnesota Early Education and Development.
Star ratings are issued every 2 years.

The department of human services along with the University of Minnesota closely observes and monitor the rating and the commitment to the rating.
6

Program and Practitioner Supports
30 hours of coaching
Each program receives a coach and an advisor.
Support for family inclusion, behavior management, mental health and special needs in the setting.
Hotline for questions and concerns.
Training on a variety of topics.
Up to 100 hours of training with a mental health consultant.
Professional development advisors and training.
Money towards quality improvement supports.
Multiple online tools

Staff and families receive a multitude of benefits from having a quality program. There is coaching and training for staff as well as on site assistance for special needs and mental health services.
7

Financial Incentives
Scholarship funds are available for families.
Access to T.E.A.C.H., R.E.E.T.A.I.N., Grant programs and other scholarships
Marketing and promotional materials.
Increased child care rates and returns.
Increase in students.

The financial gains can be used on the family side with the use of scholarships and lower costs to programming. On the site side there are financial benefits to include grant programs and increases in funding from the government per child.
8

Family and Community Engagement
Scholarships available for families.
Promotional pieces to encourage and inform families.
Marketing information to help inform the community.
Trainings to develop and encourage strong school to family communication and inclusion.

Evaluations
Evaluations of the program are done by the University of Minnesota Early Education unit.
Parent Aware helps settings find the right assessment tools and trainings.

References
Parent Aware Homepage. (n.d.). Retrieved August 24, 2017, from http://parentaware.org/