Quality Rating Improvement Systems: Considerations forStructure
All Quality Rating Improvement Systems (QRIS) have several categories of standards to define quality at progressive levels, usually 3-5 levels. There are three common QRIS structures: blocks, points and hybrid (or combination). The earliest QRIS all used a block structure. More recently states have begun to develop or re-design QRIS aspoints or a hybrid. In 2014, the rough split among states’ QRIS is: half have a block structure, about a quarter havea points systems and about a quarter are hybrids.
Block structures require all items at one level across all categories to be met before advancing to the next level. Blocks are based on the concept that quality is cumulative and progressive; this structure assumes that the quality and characteristics of programs on the same level are fairly similar. This is believed to be easiest to communicate to consumers because it is most like other rating systems such as for hotels.
Points systems on the other hand, are based on the concept that quality can be expressed in a variety of ways based on a program’s strengths. Providers desire to show their unique strengths and families appreciate the more specific information. The categories of standards express the areas that define quality. Eachcriterion is assigned a number of points. Generally, to assure some equivalence within a given quality level, points systems require that points be earned in each category of standards. The total points earned across all categories determine the level.
More recently developed QRIS have combined these approaches into a hybrid model, sometimes called a combination model. Generally the lower level(s) are blocks (all criteria must be met) and points are earned across categories to reach higher levels.Or certain items must be met (points earned). This structure reflects the belief that the basics of quality (the blocks, or required items ) are necessary conditions that should be achieved by all programs. The other aspects of quality are expressed more individually by a program. Consumers can see that all programs have met basic standards and then search for those programs that match their needs and desires for their children.
A few states (e.g., Rhode Island) that have block structures report to consumers the highest level achieved in each major category of standards as well as the overall rating. The overall rating equals the highest block level that is achievedinall categories. This retains the block structure while providing more information to the consumer.
Below is the current status of QRIS structures across states.
Building block approach (19 states). Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island.
Point system (10 states).Delaware, Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Vermont,Virginia, Texas.
Combination approach or ‘hybrid’ (11 states).Arizona,Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, Tennessee (Star-Quality Child Care Program), Washington, Wisconsin.
Both Colorado and Delaware are moving from a pointsto a combination structure.
1 |StructureJune 2014