The Field Test of QUALITYstarsNY

The field test aimed to investigate the design of QUALITYstarsNY as it has been developed so far and to help shape how the system will be implemented statewide in the near future. Most importantly, the field test was to determine whether the standards effectively distinguish levels of quality in all types of early learning settings.

Goals of the field test:

• Evaluate the ease and efficiency of the process of the QUALITYstarsNY application, documentation and assessment system under a variety of community conditions (high support, low support, geographical, program setting types, demographics of children).
• Validate the standards and the rating scale, i.e., the points weighting is accurate and the star ratings distinguish levels of quality.
• Demonstrate the value/use of community supports for quality improvement.
• Gather information about what kinds of improvements programs plan to make to move up in the system. This will inform the content and nature of later support efforts.

Structure of the field test

The field test was guided by an Advisory Team that is comprised of experts both from within and outside of government. Oversight of the full implementation of QUALITYstarsNY is provided by the Quality Improvement Work Group of the NYS Early Childhood Advisory Council. The field test team included the participating 13 communities, the partner lead agencies, participating programs and providers, the Project Manager, the evaluation team, and the Quality Coordinator. Each entity fulfilled a specific role and was vital to the successful implementation of the field test. Click on the tabs at the top of the page to find out more about each partner in the field test.