Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Early Education and Development
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Publication Date
3-28-2019
First Page
1
Last Page
45
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 (ECERSR) 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 underreported 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 both over reported and under-reported quality criteria, it is doubtful the system truly incentivizes desired quality changes.
Recommended Citation
Jacob A. Esplin, Brionne G. Neilson, Ann M. Berghout Austin & Alexander Fronk (2019) Self-Report QRIS: Challenges with Validation, Early Education and Development, DOI: 10.1080/10409289.2019.1591045
