Every dedicated early childhood practitioner cares about program quality. Decades of research have consistently shown that the better the quality of the program, the more it supports the development of young children. Moreover, high quality programs encourage parent involvement and promote the retention of skilled staff.
But how do you define program quality? How do you take an honest look at your program so you can recognize what is good and know what to improve? How can you accurately communicate this information to parents, educators, administrators, researchers, and funders?
The High/Scope Program Quality Assessment (PQA) is a well-tested tool for accomplishing these objectives. The PQA can be used in all center-based early childhood settings, not just those using the High/Scope educational approach. It is consistent with NAEYC Accreditation Criteria, Head Start Performance Standards, and state guidelines for developmental-appropriateness.
How Does the PQA Work?
The PQA is a comprehensive rating instrument. Its 72 items are divided into seven sections:
*Physical Environment
*Daily Routine
*Adult-Child Interaction
*Curriculum Assessment and Planning
*Parent Involvement and Family Services
*Staff Qualifications and Staff Development
*Program Management
Based on classroom observations and interviews with teaching and administrative staff, raters complete a series of objective five-point scales describing a broad array of program characteristics. Detailed examples are provided for each item to help users choose an appropriate rating. Below each item there is a space for recording supporting evidence and anecdotes about the settings, activities, individuals, and interactions assessed. There is a summary sheet at the end to enter item scores and calculate the total and average PQA score.
The High/Scope PQA is published by the High/Scope Press. There are three parts to the PQA:
1. The PQA Administration Manual explains how to use the PQA for self-assessment and independent evaluation.
2. The PQA Form contains all the items and a summary sheet as well as pages to draw a diagram of the setting and document the programs’ daily routine.
3. The Head Start Guide to the PQA explains the relationship of the PQA items to the Head Start Performance Standards and the Head Start Performance Measures.
To learn more about the PQA or to order copies, please contact the High/Scope Press in Ypsilanti, Michigan at these toll-free numbers: Phone: 1-800-407-7377 Fax: 1-800-442-4329