The field test of QUALITYstarsNY is finally here! The field test will investigate the design of QUALITYstarsNY as it has been developed so far and will help shape how the system will be implemented. Most importantly, the field test will determine whether the standards effectively distinguish levels of quality in all types of early learning settings.
FYI!
For more details about the field test see our community information session presentation (PDF).
The goals of the field test are to:
- Evaluate the ease and efficiency of the process of the QUALITYstarsNY application, documentation and assessment system under a variety of community conditions (high support, low support, geographical, program setting types, demographics of children).
- Validate the standards and the rating scale, i.e., the points weighting is accurate and the star ratings distinguish levels of quality.
- Establish a baseline profile of current program quality in the field test communities in NYS.
- Demonstrate the value/use of community supports for quality improvement.
- Gather information about what kinds of improvements programs plan to make to move up in the system. This will inform the content and nature of later support efforts.
- Estimate the cost of improving from one star level to another based on examining the cost of a sample of program quality improvement plans to inform the determination of levels of program improvement grants.
- Estimate the levels of financial incentives needed in the fully implemented system.
Structure of the field test
The field test is guided by an Advisory Team that is comprised of experts both from within and outside of government. Oversight of the full implementation of QUALITYstarsNY is provided by the Quality Improvement Work Group of the NYS Early Childhood Advisory Council. The field test team includes the participating 13 communities, the partner lead agencies, participating programs and providers, the Project Manager, the Evaluator, and the Quality Coordinator. Each entity fulfills a specific role and is vital to the successful implementation of the field test. Click on the links at the top of the page to find out more about each partner in the field test.