Early Learning Quality Assurance Report

PURPOSE: This rule implements the provisions of section 161.217, RSMo, for the purpose of recognizing quality in early learning and education programs and supporting the implementation of essential quality practices. (1) General Requirements. (A) Participation shall be voluntary. (B) Participation is open to eligible programs. 1. Local education agencies. A. Local education agencies shall designate which classrooms will participate in the quality assurance report. 2. Child care programs licensed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (the department). 3. Programs exempt from licensure per section 210.211, RSMo, and contracted with the department to accept child care subsidy. (C) Participation requires providing services to children between birth to kindergarten entry. (D) Participation requires all classrooms serving children AND SECONDARY EDUCATION between birth to kindergarten entry within programs in paragraphs (1)(B)2. and (1)(B)3. to participate in the quality assurance report. (2) Quality Indicators. (A) Quality interactions. 1. Teacher–child interactions. 2. Classroom environment. (B) Operational practices. 1. Business practices. 2. Staff qualifications. 3. Professional development. 4. Health and wellness. 5. Enhanced program features. (C) Responsive practices. 1. Curriculum. 2. Child assessment. 3. Inclusion and expulsion policy. 4. Family/community engagement. 5. Cultural and linguistic competency. (3) Quality Designations. (A) A program will be recognized as demonstrating quality when— 1. Quality interactions have been achieved based on an average of the assessment scores; 2. Three (3) operational practices have been achieved; and 3. Three (3) responsive practices have been achieved. (B) A program will be recognized as exhibiting high quality when— 1. Quality interactions have been achieved based on average assessment scores; 2. Four (4) operational practices have been achieved; and 3. Four (4) responsive practices have been achieved. (C) Quality indicators shall be assessed every two (2) years. (D) The department shall not publish the quality designation for any program that is subject to legal proceedings for licensing revocation, that are operating under a probationary license, or that is no longer contracted with the department to accept child care subsidy. However, a program that meets one of these criteria may continue to participate in the quality assurance report without receiving any recognition or privileges associated with the quality designation. (4) Programs may receive coaching to improve quality that is customized and based on an agreed-upon frequency between the program administrator and a quality specialist. (A) All classrooms may receive coaching from a quality specialist until both paragraphs (2)(A)1. and (2)(A)2. assessment scoring thresholds have been achieved. (B) Program administration may receive technical assistance from a quality specialist to work towards achieving a quality designation. (5) Continuing Eligibility. (A) If a program transfers ownership, the program may maintain its quality designation if— 1. The departmental vendor number remains the same; 2. The program remains in the same physical location; 3. The program capacity and age groups served remains the same; and 4. The program retains at least fifty percent (50%) of instructional and administrative staff. (B) Programs will be removed from the quality assurance report if— 1. The program provides inaccurate or fraudulent information; 2. The program does not achieve a quality designation in the first four (4) years; 3. The program staff are uncooperative with the department or designees; or 4. The program is no longer eligible to participate. (C) Programs that have been removed from the quality assurance report may not return to the quality assurance report for twelve (12) months from the date of removal. (6) Programs may appeal department decisions related to the following: (A) Quality interactions assessment if— 1. The assessor did not use the appropriate assessment tool; 2. The observation and rating protocol of the department approved assessment tool was not followed; or 3. The assessor had a conflict of interest or exhibited bias during the assessment; (B) Operational practices and responsive practices quality indicators if— 1. Submitted documentation was not reviewed; or 2. Program disagrees with the result; and (C) Programs shall submit appeals in writing to the department within fifteen (15) calendar days of the assessment or quality indicator decision. 1. Appeals shall be reviewed by a three- (3-) person panel including department staff, a quality specialist, and a quality supervisor. A. Panelists shall be from a different region than the program. B. Panelists shall not have direct experience working with the program. 2. The decision of the panel will be final. A. If the original decision is upheld, the program will be notified. B. If the original decision is overturned, the program will be notified. If the indicator is in— (I) Quality interactions, the program will be reassessed by a different assessor; and (II) Operational practices or responsive practices, the appealed indicator will be awarded. AUTHORITY: section 161.092, RSMo 2016, and section 161.217, RSMo Supp. 2024.* Original ruled filed Nov. 19, 2024, effective June 30, 2025. *Original authority: 161.092, RSMo 1963, amended 1973, 2002, 2003, 2013, 2014, and 161.217, RSMo 2016, amended 2018, 2022.