Glossary
Data Element Glossary Terms
Definitions for each of the unique data point collected and reported in the Quality Compendium. These definitions are organized using the same categories as in the Create a Report and State Profile tools. Browse to the category with the glossary term that is of interest to you for more specific definition.
- QIS name
The name of the Quality Improvement System operating in the state or locality.
- Overall management
The organization(s) primarily responsible for the administration and management of the QIS.
- Service area
Geographic area eligible to participate in the QIS.
- Pilot
A test-run of a QIS that takes place in a defined service area during a specific timeframe. A pilot is designed to identify and address program issues before broad scale implementation.
- Partnerships
The responsibility, name, and type of partner agency. Additionally, the type of agreement with partner agency responsible for the overall management of the program.
- About this QIS
A general overview of the QIS operating within the state or locality.
- Geographic Area
If not statewide, a description of the counties, cities, or other geographic area the QIS covers.
- Year the QIS first became operational
The year the QIS began operating within the state/locality.
- Information about last major revision to the QIS
The date the last major revision to the QIS was implemented and a description of the last significant revision to the QIS. A revision includes any major changes to the policies, processes, and rating standards of the QIS.
- Goals and Mission
The articulated purpose or vision statement of the QIS program and/or anticipated results of program activities.
- Racial Equity Approach
Information about the ways the QIS incorporates an approach to racial equity.
- Mental Health Focus
Information about the ways the quality initiative incorporates topics around mental health.
- Theory of Change
Indication of whether the quality initiative has a plan for how they intend to achieve long-term goals.
- Information about upcoming revisions to the QIS
The approximate date the upcoming revisions will take place and a description of the upcoming revisions. A revision includes any major changes to the policies, processes, and rating standards of the QIS.
- Other quality initiatives or activities
Information about other quality initiatives or activities happening in the QIS's geographic area, outside of the QIS itself. Note, this may not be an exhaustive list of quality initiatives operating within the QIS's geographic area.
- QIS Participation Rule
Whether QIS participation is voluntary or required by law, regulation, or program type.
- Total number of programs participating in the QIS
Total number of programs currently enrolled in the QIS, whether rated or unrated, at the time of data collection.
- Unrated programs participating in the QIS
The number of unrated programs currently participating in the QIS. Programs can be considered participating and unrated if they have signed some sort of participation agreement and are in the process of receiving a rating.
- Rated programs participating in the QIS
The number of programs with a rating in the QIS per program type and rating level.
- Program Density
Percent of rated programs by program type. Due to the various ways in which states calculate density, these numbers are only for rated licensed center-based or family (home-based) child care. The numerator is the number of programs of each type with a QIS rating; the denominator is the total number of licensed programs of that type in the state or locality.
- Funding Stream
Information about whether the QIS mandates participation for programs receiving certain types of funding.
- Frequency of participation data in use
The frequency with which the QIS uses participation data to understand ECE program participation in high-poverty communities
- Number of rated and unrated programs participating in the QIS, describe
A description of the number of rated and unrated programs participating in the QIS.
- Program density, describe
Other information about program density.
- Recruitment and engagement with providers
Information about which populations the QIS targets for recruitment and how these groups are targeted.
- Number of levels
The number of levels in the QIS.
- Rating structure
Three different methods are typically used in a QIS for combining information from the quality indicators: a building block approach in which a set of quality indicators must be met in full before a program can receive the rating for that level, a points system in which points are awarded for meeting each quality indicators and then a summary score is created by adding the points from each indicator and then assigning the program to a quality level based on the number of points earned, or a combination of the building block and points approach.
- Hybrid rating structure
If hybrid rating structure was selected, follow up questions are asked to capture more information.
- Length of time rating is valid
The length of time that a rating is valid.
- Rating process
Information about the process used to determine the program rating.
- Verification process
Information about the process used to verify rating informations.
- Online automation of rating process
Whether parts of the rating process take place in an online format.
- Receipt of Rating Level
The flexibility with which programs can apply for and receive ratings.
- Separate standards or rating processes for different types of programs
Basic information about if there are different requirements for different types of programs.
- Automatic rating/Alternative rating available
Information on whether an automatic rating/Alternative Pathways to rating is available to programs based on achievement of standards as defined through an "alternative" system.
- Cause for re-rating to occur before rating expires
Reasons a program may receive a re-rating prior to rating expiration.
- Appeal process
Process for appeals in the QIS.
- Who assigns the QIS ratings
Description of the people or process used to make determinations of overall QIS ratings.
- Process to ensure the reliability of individuals assigning QIS ratings
Process to ensure the reliability of the people or process used to make determinations of overall QIS ratings.
- Other information about rating
Additional comments or details to note about ratings in the QIS.
- Time from application to rating
The time in months that it takes for a program to receive a QIS rating after they complete an application or enroll in the QIS.
- Different process for re-rating
If applicable, a description of the re-rating process for programs participating in the QIS.
- Use of continuous quality improvement in rating
Whether and how the QIS incorporates continuous quality improvement in the rating process.
- Re-rating Fees
Fees associated with re-rating for programs in the QIS.
- Monitoring
The monitoring processes that occur between ratings.
- Other information about funding
Additional comments or details regarding QIS funding.
- Funding amounts and sources
The funding type, amount, and sources for the QIS in the most recent fiscal year.
- Financial incentives
The types of financial incentives programs receive to participate in the QIS, the range in the amounts a program can receive for each financial incentive type, and the types of programs that are eligible to receive the financial incentive.
- Tiered reimbursement rates by QIS level
If tiered reimbursement is an incentive, the percent or number above the maximum reimbursement rate programs receive at each rating level.
- Other information about financial incentives
Additional comments or details about financial incentives.
- Required training, certification, or approval for onsite assistance provider
Training, certification, or approval is required of onsite assistance providers in the QIS or in the professional development system more broadly.
- Targeted programs for onsite assistance
The target population for onsite assistance.
- Use of standardardized process in provision of onsite assistance
Onsite assistance follows a particular model or sequence/process with designated steps and assessment of progress.
- Additional information about improvement process
Additional comments about the improvement process.
- Technical Assistance Focus
The focus or content of the technical assistance provided to programs participating in the QIS.
- Technical Assistance Type
The types of technical assistance provided to programs participating in the QIS.
- Technical Assistance Provider Type
Information about the providers of quality improvement technical assistance to programs participating in the QIS.
- Duration of Technical Assistance
The typical length of time programs receive quality improvement technical assistance.
- Quality improvement technical assistance providers
A description of the people providing quality improvement assistance to programs in the QIS. Include people whose positions are at least partially dedicated to working with programs in the QIS.
- Measuring Effectiveness of Technical Assistance
How the quality initiative measures the effectiveness of technical assistance provided to programs.
- Access to technical assistance
The ways in which technical assistance is made available to providers and practitioners.
- Technical assistance eligibility
Information about which programs are eligible to receive technical assistance provided by the QIS.
- Technical assistance type - Reach
The number of center-based and family child care providers reached with each type of TA in the past year.
- Training for observers
- Whether training is required for observers conducting observations.
- Initial reliability
The process for establishing initial reliability with an anchor for the observational tool.
- Ongoing reliability periodicity
The process for establishing ongoing reliability.
- Additional information about the use of observational tools
Additional comments about the use of observational tools.
- Selection of classrooms for observation
The observation tool, the type of classroom selection, and the number of classrooms selected (in each age group).
- ERS Scores by Quality Level
The score on any Environment Rating Scale tool that is required by the quality initiative to receive a specific rating.
- CLASS Scores by Quality Level
The score on any Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) tool or subscale that is required by the quality initiative to receive a specific rating.
- Language
Whether providers or practitioners can receive the observation in their preferred language.
- Status of evaluation
The status of evaluation of the QIS.
- Evaluation addresses validation
How the evaluation addresses validation.
- Topic of past evaluation
A list of research questions/topics addressed in past evaluations.
- Published reports
Includes the name, date, and hyperlinks of published reports.
- Additional information about evaluation
Additional comments about evaluation.
- Evaluator name
The name of the external evaluator.
- Other information about evaluation
Additional comments about evaluation.
- Evaluation start and end dates
The years each evaluation started and ended.
- Topics of ongoing evaluations
A list of research questions/topics addressed in ongoing evaluations.
- Funding method and amount to promote public awareness of QIS
Amount of funding dedicated to promoting awareness of the QIS to parents, providers, and the community.
- Public awareness
The groups receiving public awareness communications, the entities providing them, and the methods of provision. Public awareness may include information about ratings for parents, recruitment information, or promoting general awareness of the QIS.
- Feedback
A description of how feedback on the QIS is gathered from different groups, how that information is used, and the methods used to reach people who speak a language other than English.
- Data system
Information about the QIS data system.
- Data included in the data system
Description of the types of data included within the QIS data system.
- Data Linkages or Integration
A description of how the quality initiative's data are linked or integrated with other data or data systems. Linkages include connecting different data that are stored in separate systems to one another using a common identifier or matching process. Integration includes connecting data that are stored in the same system.
- Data uses
Description of the various ways data is used.
- Year data system started
Year the QIS data system first became operational.
- Additional information about data systems
Additional comments about data systems.
- Disaggregating data
Whether data can be disaggregated by race/ethnicity.
- Participation data, children
A description of the kinds of data the QIS collects on children served by programs participating in the QIS.
- Participation data, participating program staff or practitioner demographics
A description of the kinds of data the QIS collects on programs and practitioners participating in the QIS.
- Number of indicator categories for center-based programs
The number of categories used to organize center-based indicators in the QIS.
- Center-Based indicator categories
The names and associated categories for the center-based indicator used in the QIS.
- Licensing required for enrollment
If licensing is required for enrollment of child care centers in the QIS.
- Process for license-exempt programs
If there is a process for license-exempt programs in the QIS.
- Licensing equivalent to the first level
If licensing is required at the first level of the QIS and no other requirements are in place to achieve the first level.
- Features of health and safety indicators
Components related to health and safety included in the QIS indicators.
- Features of curriculum indicators
Features related to curriculum included in the QIS indicators.
- Curriculum identified for infant/toddlers
If curriculum for infants/toddlers is identified in the QIS indicators and if so, which curriculum is approved.
- Curriculum identified for preschoolers
If curriculum for preschoolers is identified in the QIS indicators and if so, which curriculum is approved.
- Curriculum review process for self-developed or bundled curriculum
If self-developed or bundled curriculum are allowable, whether the QIS reviews curriculum as part of the rating process.
- Features of child assessment indicators
Features related to observational child assessment included in the QIS indicators.
- Child assessments identified
If observational child assessment(s) are identified in the QIS indicators, and if so, which assessments are approved.
- Child assessment review process
- Activities related to child assessment review processes.
- Features of environment and interaction indicators
Description of the stand-alone environment and interaction-related indicators in the QIS or whether those features are captured as part of an observational assessment by an outside rater or a self-assessment.
- Features of program administration, management, and leadership indicators
Components related to program administration, management, and leadership included in the QIS indicators.
- Incorporation of accreditation
Different ways accreditation is incorporated in the QIS rating.
- Approved accrediting bodies
List of accrediting bodies approved by the QIS.
- Accreditation as an alternative pathway to ratings
Description of how accreditation is used as alternative pathway to rating.
- Features of family partnership & engagement indicators
Components related to family partnerships and engagement included in the QIS indicators.
- Other information about center indicators
Other center indicators included in the QIS.
- Features of professional development indicators-Centers
Features of the professional development indicators for licensed center-based programs.
- Professional development staff type-Centers
If the QIS has professional development indicators for centers for staff, and if so, which staff type.
- Content of required training-Centers
The content of trainings that licensed center-based programs are required to complete to achieve points or levels within the QIS. Include trainings that are required at any level, not just those required at every level.
- Features of community involvement indicators
Further information about indicators related to community involvement.
- Features of continuous quality improvement indicators
Further information about indicators related to Continuous Quality Improvement.
- Features of staff qualification indicators
Features of the staff qualification indicators for licensed family child care programs.
- Features of teacher support indicators- center
The features of the QIS indicators related to supports for teachers in center-based programs.
- Features of developmental screening for infants and toddlers
Whether there are indicators related to developmental screening for infants and toddlers and if so which developmental screens are used.
- Features of developmental screening for preschoolers
Whether there are indicators related to developmental screening for preschoolers and if so which developmental screens are used.
- Observational tools
A description of the observational tools used in the QIS rating process. This includes the age groups observed using the observational assessment, the frequency at which the observations are completed, and the minimum and maximum scores for rating or points.
- Features of cultural/linguistic diversity indicators
Further information about indicators related to cultural/linguistic diversity.
- Inclusion
Inclusion for children with identified or suspected delays, disabilities, or special medical needs
- Observational tools
A description of the observational tools used in the QIS rating process. This includes the age groups observed using the observational assessment, the frequency at which the observations are completed, and the minimum and maximum scores for rating or points.
- Features of child assessment indicators
Features related to observational child assessment included in the QIS indicators.
- Number of indicator categories for family child care programs
The number of categories used to organize family child care indicators in the QIS.
- Names of categories used in the QIS
The labels for the indicator categories used in the QIS. (i.e., What are the different categories of QIS indicators called in your state/region, for example "Partnering with Families" or "Learning Environment."
- Licensing required for enrollment
If licensing is required for enrollment of family child care programs in the QIS.
- Process for license-exempt programs
If there a process for license-exempt family child care programs in the QIS.
- Licensing equivalent to the first level
If licensing is required at the first level of the QIS and no other requirements are in place to achieve the first level.
- Features of health and safety indicators
Components related to health and safety included in the QIS indicators.
- Features of curriculum indicators
Features related to curriculum included in the QIS indicators.
- Curriculum identified for preschoolers
If curriculum for preschoolers is identified in the QIS indicators and if so, which curriculum is approved.
- Curriculum identified for infants/toddlers
If curriculum for infants/toddlers is identified in the QIS indicators and if so, which curriculum is approved.
- Curriculum review process for self-developed or bundled curriculum
If self-developed or bundled curriculum are allowable, whether the QIS reviews curriculum as part of the rating process.
- Child assessments identified
If observational child assessment(s) are identified in the QIS indicators, and if so, which assessments are approved.
- Child assessment review process
- Components related to child assessment review processes.
- Features of environment and interaction indicators
Description of the stand-alone environment and interaction-related indicators in the QIS or whether those features are captured as part of an observational assessment by an outside rater or a self-assessment.
- Features of program administration, management, and leadership indicators
Components related to program administration, management, and leadership included in the QIS indicators.
- Incorporation of accreditation
Different ways accreditation is incorporated in the QIS rating.
- Approved accrediting bodies
List of accrediting bodies approved by the QIS.
- Additional information about incorporating accreditation
Description of how accreditation is used as alternative pathway to rating.
- Additional information about incorporating accreditation
Additional comments about incorporating accreditation.
- Features of family partnership & engagement indicators
Components related to family partnerships and engagement included in the QIS indicators.
- Other information about FCC indicators
Other indicators included in the QIS.
- Features of professional development indicators-FCC
Features of the professional development indicators for licensed family child care programs.
- Professional development staff type-FCC
If the QIS has professional development indicators for FCC for staff, and if so, for which staff type.
- Content of required training-FCC
The content of trainings required of licensed family child care programs to achieve points or a level within the QIS. Include trainings required at any level, not just trainings required of all levels.
- Features of community involvement indicators
Further information about indicators related to community involvement.
- Features of continuous quality improvement indicators
Further information about indicators related to Continuous Quality Improvement.
- Features of staff qualification indicators
Features of the staff qualification indicators for licensed family child care programs.
- Features of developmental screening for infants and toddlers
Whether there are indicators related to developmental screening for infants and toddlers and if so which developmental screens are used.
- Features of developmental screening for preschoolers
Whether there are indicators related to developmental screening for preschoolers and if so which developmental screens are used.
- Features of cultural/linguistic diversity indicators
Further information about indicators related to cultural/linguistic diversity.
- Home-based indicator categories
The names and associated categories for the FCC indicator used in the QIS.
- Inclusion - FCC
Inclusion for children with identified or suspected delays, disabilities, or special medical needs
- Website
URL of the QIS website used by the public.
- Language from statute
Hyperlink to language from state statute that refers to the QIS (if available).
- Ratio and group size tables
A hyperlink to the QIS ratio tables, if available.
- QIS Logic Model
A link to the QIS Logic Model, depicting the relationships among program activities and desired outcomes.
- Career Lattice or Ladder
A link to the Career Lattice or Ladder, which designates steps or levels for individual ECE professionals. Lattice or Ladder levels typically include a combination of trainings, college credits, credentials, or work experience.
- Implementation manual
A link to the QIS implementation manual.
- Career Pathways
A link to a document describing the career lattice or ladder used in the QIS.
- Financial incentives chart
A link to the QIS financial incentives chart.
- Licensing standards
A link to the QIS licensing standards.
- Standards and indicators table
A link to the QIS standards or indicators by level of quality.
- Technical assistance manual
A link to the QIS technical assistance manual.
- Technical assistance provider competencies
A link to the relevant competencies required or suggested by the QIS for technical assistance providers.
- Tiered reimbursement schedule
A link to the QIS tiered reimbursement schedule.
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