Design Principles for Accelerating Student Learning with High-Impact Tutoring (updated June 2024)
Category: Student Learning
Instrument Overview
The current revision of the PQA includes two notable differences from earlier versions: 1) the number of content areas has increased from four to seven, and 2) the scoring system has been revised to adequately measure the full range of quality along each quality construct. As described by the authors: “The Preschool Program Quality Assessment (PQA), Second Edition, is a rating instrument designed to evaluate the quality of early childhood programs and identify staff training needs. Developed by High/Scope Educational Research Foundation, it isappropriate for use in all center‐based settings, not just those using the High/Scope educational approach. The Preschool PQA intentionally reflects “best practices” in early childhood education as a whole. The measure identifies the structural characteristics and dynamic relationships that effectively promote the development of young children, encourage the involvement of families and communities, and create supportive working environments for staff” (High/Scope Educational Research Foundation, 2003, p. 1).
The PQA can be used for a variety of purposes including both pre‐service and in‐service training initiatives, self‐assessment and monitoring. The PQA can also be used to conduct observations and provide feedback to staff. In addition, the Preschool PQA can be used as a research tool when administered by trained outside observers to document program practices, compare quality, examine the relationship between quality of care and children’s outcomes, and evaluate the effectiveness of staff development initiatives. Finally, the Preschool PQA can be used to explain research‐based practices to a variety of individuals and agencies including administrators, policymakers, and support staff in the preschool (High/Scope Educational Research Foundation, 2003).
Note: The overview provided for this instrument includes content that may have been sourced from the instrument publisher's or author’s website (or other site providing information about the instrument). This information is presented for educational and informational purposes only. If you have any questions about the content or its permitted uses, please contact annenberg@brown.edu.
Organization
Student Well-Being Category
American Institutes for Research® partnered with the Annenberg Institute at Brown University to collect instruments related to student well-being.
Content
Grades
< 3 Years,
Pre-Kindergarten
Keywords
Instructional Support ; SEL‐Supportive Environments
Respondent
Observer
Administration Information
Length
7 areas; each area has between 5 and 13 items, with several indicators per item
Access and Use
Developer
David P. Weikart Center for Program Quality at the Forum for Youth Investment
Price
Free
Open Access
No
Setting
Classroom
Psychometrics (additional guidance)
Psychometric References
Jurkiewicz, T. (2003). The Revised Preschool PQA: Report on psychometric properties. Instrument evaluation report to the Michigan Department of Education. Ypsilanti, MI: High/Scope Educational Research Foundation, Research Division.
Smith, C., Jurkiewicz, T., & Xiang, Z. P. (2002). Program quality in Michigan School
Readiness Program classrooms: Classroom characteristics, teacher beliefs, and
measurement issues. Evaluation report to the Michigan Department of Education.
Ypsilanti, MI: High/Scope Educational Research Foundation, Research Division.
