Preschool Program Quality Assessment, 2nd edition (PQA)

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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).

Organization

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.