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What is QRIS?

The Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) is a systemic approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early and school-age care and education programs.

QRIS Resource Guide

A tool for States and communities to explore key issues and decision points during the planning and implementation of a quality and improvement system (QRIS).

QRIS State Profiles

Examples from states that have already implemented QRIS.

Featured State Examples

Georgia's Dept. of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) Used Cohort Model in Recruitment to Quality Rated

Recognizing its early care and education system was composed of many subsystems, Georgia created a technical assistance cohort model to help the various subsystems move through the Quality Rated process. In its recruitment process, Georgia grouped child care programs by cohorts such as franchise systems, corporate chains, faith-based groups, Head Start, family child care associations, Montessori programs, and so on. A dedicated staff person was assigned to each cohort to facilitate their progress in Quality Rated. For example, the staff facilitator arranged for the directors and teachers to meet with the Professional Development Registry staff and have an onsite review of the program staff’s credentials. Cohort participants benefited from targeted technical assistance, system-level support for quality reform, professional networks to support continuous quality improvement, and ongoing professional growth. The staff facilitators’ work with the corporations often resulted in changes in the corporation’s policies. The approach was, “How do we help your system with our system?