Quality Rating 4: Program Assessment
Instructions
To meet the requirements for Accreditation and Rating Scale: Program Assessment: ACR 2.4, you will upload a Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS®) and, if applicable, School-Age Care Environment Rating Scale (SACERS™) Summary Report(s) completed by an MSDE-approved assessor(s) within the past 12 months.
- Center Based and Family Child Care Programs will use CLASS
- School Age ONLY programs will use SACERS™
Program Assessment Conducted by an MSDE-Approved Assessor
Accreditation and Rating Scales: Program Assessment: ACR 2.4 begins with a request for an onsite visit, or visits, from a Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) – approved assessor. Programs must have completed all requirements for Quality Rating 3 prior to requesting the assessment. To submit a request, programs are asked to complete the Request for Program Assessment form and email the form to their Program Coordinator. Programs are then contacted by the assigned assessor to coordinate the date for the onsite visit(s).
Over the course of the visit(s), an assessor will complete an assessment for each age group enrolled in the program. Programs use scores from these assessments to develop a Program Improvement Plan.
Remember, Maryland EXCELS focuses on continuous quality improvement and supports programs through the process. That support is available from Quality Assurance Specialists (QASs) and Child Care Resource and Referral Centers (CCRCs) as programs engage in each step of the program assessment process.
What does the documentation look like?
You will upload the Summary Report completed by the MSDE-approved assessor within the past 12 months.
Where can you learn more?
- The Environment Rating Scales Institute (ERSI) provides detailed information about the School-Age Environment Rating Scale® (SACERS™).
- Teachstone Find information and free webinars about the CLASS® Assessment.
