CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT (CQI)

Early Learning programs in Pennsylvania are supported and encouraged to engage in a continuous cycle of quality improvement focused on improved outcomes for children and families.  Along with technical assistance and professional development, Pennsylvania provides many supports and resources for programs that are linked together under the Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) framework.  After reviewing sources of evidence and working as a team on the annual CQI plan, programs are encouraged to strategically select participation in initiatives based on the goals and objectives of the program improvement plan.  The attached project descriptions are provided to assist programs in understanding and selecting from the array of options.  The projects are organized under the following content strands.

BUILDING ADMINISTRATIVE COMPETENCIES AND LEADERS (K8)

• Accreditation Projects to Support Quality Improvement – Coming Soon
• Core Competencies for Career Advisors in PA – Coming Soon
• Early Childhood Executive Leadership Institute (ECELI)

BUILDING CULTURAL COMPETENCE, WELCOMING ALL FAMILIES AND SUPPORTING DIVERSITY (K3)English Language Learners (Dual Language Teaching)

• English Language Learners (Dual Language Teaching)
• Effective Strategies for Promoting Systematic Cultural Competence
• Race Matters: Exploring Program Policies and Practices
• Race Matters: Classroom Practices to Support Conversations about Race and Culture in Early Childhood Settings
• SpecialQuest Birth-Five

DEVELOPING AND EXPANDING BEST PRACTICE IN TEACHING AND LEARNING (K1, K2, K4)

• Cara’s Kit
• Center for Early Literacy Learning (CELL)
• Infant and Toddler Technical Assistance and Supports
• Learning Standards-Professional Development
• Links to Learning: Complementary Learning Afterschool
• Links to Learning: Building Partnerships with Schools and Families
• Standards Aligned System (SAS)
• Transitioning Across the Continuum of Early Learning (TACEL)

ENGAGING FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TO SUPPORT POSITIVE CHILD OUTCOMES (K3)

• Strengthening Families
• Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children

PROMOTING AN ENVIRONMENT FOR HEALTHY CHILDREN/FAMILIES/ PRACTITIONERS (K7)

• I Am Moving, I Am Learning
• Eco-Healthy Child Care Program

SUPPORTING SOCIAL EMOTIONAL COMPETENCE AND ADDRESSING CHALLENGING BEHAVIOR (K1, K2, K3, K4, K5)

• Early Childhood Mental Health Supports
• Mind in the Making
• Pyramid Model of Positive Behavior Support
• Inventory of Practices for Promoting Social Emotional Competence

Keystone STARS Continuous Quality Improvement Plan

• Keystone STARS CQI Plan Instructions Example #1
• Keystone STARS CQI Plan Example #2

There is also further reading and additional resources for CQI available here.