What is a Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)?
For a growing number of states and localities, the vehicle for improving quality across the full continuum of early care and education programming is to create a uniform set of standards that is graduated according to level of quality, and linked to a corresponding set of “star ratings,” not unlike those established for hotels and restaurants. QRIS is a policy innovation that is rapidly sweeping the country. Since the first one in Oklahoma in 1998, 19 states and the District of Columbia now operate statewide QRIS, and at least 27 other states are planning or piloting them. Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) assess, improve, and communicate the quality of all types of early childhood programs. QRIS have graduated sets of program standards that provide a pathway, or stair steps, for programs to improve overall quality and offer consumers objective information about the relative quality of programs for their children. QRIS provide supports to improve the qualifications of pract
