ERIC Number: EJ1368550
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1040-9289
EISSN: EISSN-1556-6935
Assessing Quality in Classrooms That Blend State Pre-Kindergarten and Head Start Funding: The Case of Michigan
Early Education and Development, v33 n8 p1383-1394 2022
Research Findings: In recent years, several initiatives have been put into place both federally and state-wide to expand access to high-quality early education programs. At the center of these efforts are the tools that measure program or classroom quality. The present study compares the psychometrics of two such tools used in Michigan, the Preschool Program Quality Assessment (PQA) used by state-funded preschools, and the Classroom Assessment Scoring System, Pre-K (CLASS) required for Head Start, to inform state-level policies that prevent excessive assessment stipulations for blended programs. Pairs of PQA and CLASS scores were obtained from 389 classrooms. Alphas were reliable to very reliable for both instruments. For Preschool PQA, the alpha ranged from 0.71 (Curriculum planning and assessment) to 0.88 (Adult-child interactions). For CLASS Pre-K, alpha ranged from 0.74 (Emotional Support) to 0.91 (Instructional Support). The overall Preschool PQA scores and the Instructional Support domain of CLASS Pre-K were the most highly correlated; however correlations were moderate (r(389) = 0.29, p < 0.001). Practice or Policy: This study provides policy implications for redesigning and broadening states' definitions of "quality" early care and learning programs, reexamining early learning standards, and streamlining efforts while maximizing children's high-quality early experiences.
Descriptors: Educational Quality, Preschool Education, Social Services, Low Income Students, Federal Programs, Program Evaluation, Psychometrics, Classroom Environment, Comparative Analysis, Grants
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Michigan
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Head Start
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Classroom Assessment Scoring System
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A