Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-28-2019
Department
Child and Family Studies
Abstract
Research Findings: The current study looks at the validity of a voluntary self-report Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) and the characteristics of participating childcare centers. The self-reported quality indicators are compared to external ratings of quality Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised ([ECERS-R]) and correlated with variables such as size of center and number of state subsidy clients. ECERS-R scores were unrelated to capacity but significantly lower for centers with a large percentage of state-supported clients. Regarding self-reported quality, centers frequently under-reported their quality and what was claimed was not always externally validated, suggesting a self-report QRIS may not be an accurate assessment of quality. Additionally, no significant differences in quality were found between centers participating and those not participating in the self-report QRIS. Practice or Policy: Self-reported childcare quality was not accurate in this study. Although providers over-reported some quality, they frequently under-reported quality, by claiming fewer indicators than external validators found. When centers are unmotivated to participate in a voluntary, self-report QRIS, when items reported are the easiest to report, and when existing quality indicators are unreported, a self-reported QRIS cannot validly reflect quality. Because providers over-reported and under-reported quality criteria, it is doubtful the system truly incentivizes desired quality changes.
Publication Title
Early Education and Development
Recommended Citation
Esplin, J. A.,
Neilson, B. G.,
Austin, A. M.,
Fronk, A.
(2019). Self-Report QRIS: Challenges With Validation. Early Education and Development.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/16316
Comments
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in 'Early Education and Development' on 3/2019, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/10409289.2019.1591045.