Designing a QRIS for Texas
The Texas Early Learning Council will make recommendations to
the Governor regarding the development of a Texas Quality Rating
and Improvement System (QRIS).
The Council worked with a contractor, ICF, to research and
develop a plan for a statewide QRIS for Texas. The Data and
QRIS Subcommittee developed an initial list of indicators for the
contractors to research and provided examples of local QRISs
currently operating in Texas and other statewide systems. The
contractor recently completed a strategic plan to inform the
Council's development of recommendations. The strategic
plan is available now. The final recommendations on the
development of a Texas QRIS will be released in 2013.
In 2012, the Council released three online stakeholder surveys
to solicit input from stakeholders. The Council would like to
thank those who participated in the three surveys. Your input
is helping the Council develop the best possible QRIS
recommendations for our state.
Look for updates on this project through our social media pages
and newsletters (subscribe to our newsletter and social media on
the right of this page.)
Quality Rating and Improvement Systems
The National Child Care Information and Technical Assistance
Center defines QRIS as a "systematic approach to assess, improve,
and communicate the level of quality in early and school-aged care
and education programs." Twenty-three states currently implement
some type of QRIS. These systems have grown in popularity among all
early care and education stakeholders in recent years.
Parents, providers, and policymakers all have important
questions related to early care and education in Texas:
- Parents want to know: Where can I find the highest quality
program for the resources I have?
- Providers want to know: What are key steps I can take to
increase the quality of my program?
- Policymakers want to know: What programs and strategies
yield the best results for Texas Children?
The Council is excited to develop in-depth recommendations for
creating a statewide QRIS for the Lone Star state. Ideally, a Texas
QRIS will answer the important questions listed above, and many
more. We are calling on stakeholders, policymakers, and
advocates to collaborate with us during this process, so that the
recommendations we produce will contribute to a long lasting, high
functioning system that supports families, providers, and
policymakers in making key decisions related to quality.
QRIS Development Resources
The Texas Early Learning Council has a lot of work to do on this
important effort, but already important steps have been taken. See
below for more information on this important project:
- The Council has contracted with ICF to assist us with creating
the recommendations. Specifically, we are working with Michelle
Thomas and
Stacie Goffin who both possess tremendous experience in
designing large scale systems and brokering compromise and
collaboration among stakeholders.
- The Council and our Consultants have re-drafted our approach to
the project; it consists of a number of steps:
- Step 1: Conduct 1-on-1 interviews with a number of
key stakeholders and Council members in the state to better
understand the complexities of the early care and education system
in Texas and positions held by the various stakeholders involved
- Completed:In
Summer 2012, our consultant conducted 23 interviews with
stakeholders across Texas.
- Step 2: Survey critical stakeholders to flesh out intricacies
uncovered in the interview process -
Completed in partnership with Texans Care For
Children
- Step 3: Investigate critical indicators of quality outlined by
the Texas Early Learning Council, in order to ensure that the
Council's recommendations are driven by research and are focusing
on the key aspects of programs that lead to improved outcomes for
children -
Completed
- Step 4: Produce Texas Early Learning Council advance draft of
Texas QRIS Strategic Plan -
Completed
- Step 5: Texas Early Learning Council meets and reviews plan,
requesting changes and seeking clarifications -
Completed
- Step 6: Produce first draft of the Texas QRIS Strategic Plan
-
Completed
- Step 7: Poll statewide stakeholders on critical questions
related to the first draft -Completed in partnership
with Texans Care For Children
- Step 8 : Conduct live stakeholder meeting to share first draft
with stakeholders and receive feedback on the draft -
Completed in Partnership with Texans Care For
Children
- Step 9: Produce second draft of Texas QRIS Strategic Plan -
Completed
- Step 10: Poll statewide stakeholders on critical questions
related to the second draft -Completed
in partnership with Texans Care For
Children
- Step 11: Conduct live stakeholder meeting to share second draft
with stakeholders and receive feedback on the
draft -Completed
- Step 12: Produce third draft of the Texas QRIS Strategic Plan
- Completed in Partnership with Texans Care
For Children
- Step 13: Conduct meeting of the Texas Early Learning Council to
finalize strategic plan and begin work on recommendations
-
Completed
- Step 14: Incorporate final Texas Early Learning Council
feedback and share strategic plan with the Texas Governor and Texas
stakeholders - Completed
- Step 15: Utilize strategic plan and council collaboration to
develop Council recommendations for a Texas QRIS.
Note: as we move through the process we will be posting updates
and progress.
QRIS Resources and Questions
The Texas Early Learning Council has a lot of work to do on this
important effort, but already important steps have been taken. See
below for more information on this important project:
- Browse critical QRIS resources
- Ask the Texas Early Learning Council questions about a QRIS,
our recommendations development process, or provide us with your
feedback
- Contact Us with questions and
comments. We will make routine updates to this page, posting
Frequently Asked Questions.