Quality Measurement in Early Childhood Settings

What constitutes quality in early childhood settings, and how can it best be measured with today¿s widely used tools and promising new approaches? This book brings together a who¿s who of early childhood experts to establish what¿s working in quality measurement and how it can be strengthened to support better programs and optimal child development. Readers will explore specific approaches to measuring the quality of factors that are key to school readiness, including supports for early language and literacy development; math and science curricula and instruction; environmental supports for social and emotional competence; and more. Readers will find invaluable guidance on ¿big picture¿ issues¿such as how to align quality measures with professional development goals and desired child outcomes; how to make sound, data-driven decisions when implementing a large-scale Quality Rating and Improvement System; and how to conduct integrated quality assessments that combine the best of observational and structural approaches. Readers will have the knowledge base they need to strengthen their quality measurement¿so they can be sure their programs lead to positive outcomes and get children ready for school success.

Martha Zaslow, Ph.D., is Director, Society for Research in Child Development Office for Policy and Communications, Washington, D.C., and Senior Scholar, Child Trends, Washington, D.C. Ivelisse Martinez-Beck, Ph.D., is Senior Social Science Research Analyst and Child Care Research Coordinator; Division of Child and Family Development; Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, Washington, D.C. Kathryn Tout, Ph.D., and Tamara Halle, Ph.D., are Codirectors of Early Childhood Research, Child Trends, Washington, D.C.