The Program Manager's Guide to Evaluation: Third Edition (website) - from the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation Administration for Children and Families aims to enhance program managers' understanding and readiness for program evaluation. It provides an overview of program evaluation, including its definition, significance, and the steps involved. These steps encompass engaging an evaluation team, preparing and designing the evaluation, gathering credible evidence, analyzing data, and sharing lessons learned.

Quality Indicators of Inclusive Early Childhood Programs/Practices (pdf), Sep 2010 - Compilation of selected resources from the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center

Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS)® - Assesses classroom quality in Pre-K through grade 3 based on teacher–student interactions in the classroom. CLASS was developed, tested & researched for over a decade in more than 3,000 classrooms. Used for: accountability efforts, program planning, professional development & research. Contains 3 crucial domains of teacher-student interaction: Emotional Support, Classroom Organization & Instructional Support. 

Coaching to Fidelity - The Creative Curriculum Coaching to Fidelity series is designed to support the implementation of the Creative Curriculum through individualized coaching that helps translate new knowledge into practice. Contains The Fidelity Tool, which helps coaches assess how well teachers are implementing the curriculum.

Division for Early Childhood (DEC) Recommended Practices – Rev Ed, 2005 - Offers a framework for practices in early intervention/early childhood special education. Identifies 240 practices arranged in 7 categories – Assessment / Child-Focused / Family-Based Interdisciplinary Models / Technology Application/Policies, Procedures & System Change/Personnel Preparation. Guide & individual workbook. Division for Early Childhood, 2005.

Early Language & Literacy Classroom Observation Toolkit (ELLCO) - Designed for Pre-K through 3rd grade, but ideal for Pre-K & K settings (children 3 through 5 years). Assesses literacy & language practices with materials in 3 parts: literacy environment checklist/classroom observation & teacher interview/literacy activities rating scale. Contains 14 observation items rated on a 5-point rubric. 1 to 1.5 hours to administer. Can be used as a peer mentoring tool or administered by a supervisor or trained rater. Excellent tool for identifying a program’s language & literacy practices strengths & deficits and for setting improvement goals. Manual & rating booklets. Paul H. Brookes Publishing, 2002. 

Child/Home Early Language and Literacy Observation (CHELLO) - Observation tool designed to rate the early literacy environment in home-based child care settings that serve children from birth-5 years. Reliable & field-tested. Results yield profiles of materials and practices, guidance for improving literacy supports & changes over time. Measures provider/child interactions/literacy in the environment & specific literacy strategies. Can be completed in 2 hours or less. 

Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Third Edition (ECERS-3) 2014 - Designed for use in child care, preschool & kindergarten classrooms serving children 3- 5 years. High reliability & validity. Can be used as a self-assessment or monitoring tool for program improvement. The 43 items are scored on a 7-point scale in these categories: Space & Furnishings / Personal Care Routines / Language-Reasoning / Activities / Interactions / Program Structure / Parents & Staff. 

Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale, Third Edition (ITERS-3) 2017 - The ITERS-R is designed for use in center-based child care programs for infants & toddlers up to 30 months of age. Can be used as a self-assessment or monitoring tool for program improvement. High reliability & validity ratings. Contains 7 subscales: Space & Furnishings / Personal Care Routines / Listening & Talking / Activities / Interaction / Program Structure / Parents & Staff.

Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale, Revised (FCCERS-R), 2007 - This is the revised 'The Family Day Care Rating Scale'. Designed for use in family child care programs, serving children from infancy through school-age. Contains 7 subscales: Space & Furnishings / Personal Care Routines / Listening & Talking / Activities / Interaction / Program Structure / Parents & Provider. DVD, training guide & workbooks available for all rating scales. 

PQA (Preschool Program Quality Assessment) – Second Edition - Comprehensive tool designed to evaluate the quality of early childhood programs & identify staff development needs along a 5-point rating continuum. Assesses Adult-Child Interactions / Learning Environment / Daily Routine / Curriculum Planning & Assessment / Parent Involvement & Family Services / Staff Qualifications & Development / Program Management. Appropriate for all preschool settings, not just those using the High Scope approach. Includes a section specific to Head Start requirements. Can be done as a self-assessment or by trained raters.

Ready School Assessment - A validated self-assessment instrument designed to evaluate a school’s readiness for children as they enter. Assesses 8 dimensions: Leaders & Leadership / Transitions / Teacher Supports / Engaging Environments / Effective Curricula / Family-Schools-Community Partnerships / Respecting Diversity / Assessing Progress. Team Handbook & Questionnaires. Can enter data online & receive profile reports. 

Program Administration Scale (website) - Designed to reliably measure early childhood leadership and management practices in public and private center-based early childhood programs. Utilizes a 7-point rating scale and looks at 25 items grouped into 10 categories – human resource development/personnel cost & allocation/center operations/child assessment/fiscal management/program planning & evaluation/family partnerships/marketing & public relations/technology/staff qualifications. Teachers College Press, 2004. www.tcpress.com

Business Administration Scale for Family Child Care (BAS) - A valid and reliable tool for measuring & improving the overall quality of business & professional practices in family child care settings. It is applicable for multiple uses, including program self-improvement, technical assistance, and monitoring, training, research and evaluation & public awareness. The BAS is designed to complement the widely used Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale–Revised (FCCERS-R).

Updated 2/22/2024