Program Quality
Features and characteristics of a program such as class size, teacher-to-child ratios, staff pay scale, and teacher qualifications.
What is Structural Quality?
An observation method characterized by a brief, focused narrative note detailing a specific event or behavior as it occurs.
What is an Anecdotal Record?
The initial point of reference or starting point established within the first 60 calendar days of a child's enrollment to measure future growth.
What is Baseline Data?
The assessment framework promoting best practices for children from birth through age 8, emphasizing age/stage expectations and play as primary learning.
What is NAEYC's Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP)?
A tangible artifact or piece of evidence that showcases a child's progress over time, such as a drawing or photo of a block structure.
What is a Work Sample?
California regulations that primarily focus on protecting children from physical harm and setting basic health and safety baselines.
What are Title 22 Regulations?
An informal observation method that uses tally marks to record how frequently a specific behavior or interaction occurs during a set timeframe.
What is a Frequency Count?
Measures in the DRDP (2025) that are required only under specific conditions, such as for children with an IFSP or IEP.
What are Conditional Measures?
The disparity in academic achievement readiness between low-income children and their moderate- or high-income peers.
What is the Achievement Gap?
The degree to which an assessment tool produces stable, consistent, and accurate results across different observers or repeated uses.
What is Reliability?
Quality that consists of the various daily interactions occurring between staff, children, families, and administrators, as well as classroom materials.
What is Process Quality?
A narrative-style observation written in story format that highlights a child's learning moments and disposition to share with families.
What is a Learning Story?
The observational tool that specifically focuses on measuring teacher-child interactions, emotional support, and instructional support across a 7-point scale.
What is the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS)?
A framework that helps make assessments inclusive and flexible so every child can demonstrate what they know through multiple means of expression.
What is Universal Design for Learning (UDL)?
The term for notes that mistakenly include personal opinions, assumptions, or emotional interpretations rather than strict facts.
What is Subjective Observation?
A systematic framework used across California to assess, improve, and communicate early care program quality using tiered ratings.
What is a Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)?
The type of observation data that records exact, factual details of what is seen and heard without adding personal interpretations, opinions, or biases.
What is Objective Observation?
A systematic evaluation tool like the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS) used primarily to assess and improve this type of classroom environment quality.
What are Environment Rating Scales (ERS)?
The educational principle that recognizes play as the primary and most effective context for young children to learn and develop.
What is Play-Based Learning (or DAP)?
The term for whether an assessment tool actually measures what it claims or is designed to measure.
What is Validity?
The type of quality measured directly by tools like the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS) and the CLASS.
What is Process Quality?
An extended, continuous narrative record that documents everything a child does and says over a specific timeframe.
What is a Running Record?
The statewide developmental continuum framework used across California early learning programs that functions as a formative tool rather than a final grading test.
What is the DRDP (2025)?
The federal early childhood program framework that aligns with comprehensive child development, family engagement, and community standards.
What is the Head Start Framework?
The type of evaluation approach that is ongoing and used during the learning process to inform daily instruction, rather than assigning final summary grades at the end.
What is Formative Assessment?