Effectively Using QRIS Data and Research to Inform Program Design and Management:
Sharing New Tools and State Experiences

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Webinar recording
PowerPoint presentation (PDF)

As states move ahead in enhancing systems of care for young children, assessing and improving the quality of early care and education programs at all levels are becoming increasingly important. This webinar presented by Mathematica’s Center for Improving Research Evidence (CIRE) examined Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRISs). Most states are already operating or developing QRISs, and federal investments and support are encouraging these efforts. The webinar provided the federal and state context for QRIS data needs and highlighted a new resource—the Quality Rating and Improvement System Evaluation Toolkit developed by Mathematica and Child Trends staff. The toolkit provides step-by-step instructions for assessing how QRISs work and measuring their effects. A state child care administrator shared lessons from working with the state research team to design evaluations and data systems that collect policy-relevant performance data and manage and improve QRISs. 

Agenda and Participants

Introductions
Roberto Agodini, Director, Center for Improving Research Evidence, Mathematica
Kimberly Boller, Senior Research Psychologist, Mathematica (Moderator)

Pathways and Partnerships for Child Care Excellence: Promoting Quality, Coordination, and Early Childhood Systems Reform 
Shannon Rudisill, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary and Inter-Departmental Liaison for Early Childhood Development;
Director of Office of Child Care, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

A New Resource for States: The Quality Rating and Improvement System Evaluation Toolkit
Julieta Lugo-Gil, Senior Researcher, Mathematica

Lessons for Working with Researchers on QRIS: Getting Policy Questions Answered
Melanie Brizzi, Child Care Administrator, Indiana

State and Federal Investments in Enhancing Research Relevance and Quality
Kathryn Tout, Co-Director of Early Childhood Research and Senior Scientist, Child Trends
Ivelisse Martinez-Beck, Coordinator for Child Care Research and Senior Social Science Research Analyst, Office of Planning,
Research and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services