Definitions - Program Quality

18270.5

(a) “Agency Self-Evaluation Report” is a form issued by the department in February 2002, that is incorporated by reference.

(b) “Developmental profile” means a record of a child's physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development that is used to inform teachers and parents about a child's developmental progress in meeting desired results. In center-based programs, teacher and parent observations shall be included as part of the information used to complete the child's developmental profile. In family child care home networks, the observations of agency staff, in consultation with providers, and parents shall be included as part of the information used to complete the child's developmental profile.

(c) “Desired Results Developmental Profile” is a document issued by the department February 28, 2002 to record the information in the developmental profile defined in subsection 18270.5(b), that is incorporated by reference.

(d) “Desired Results Parent Survey” is a document issued by the department in June 2000, that is incorporated by reference.

(e) “Education program” means the environment, activities, and services provided to the children.

(f) “Environment rating scale” means an instrument that measures program quality by rating the education program as defined in Section 18273, the staff development program as defined in Section 18274, and parent involvement and education as defined in Section 18275. Environment rating scales include one or more of the following:

(1) “ECERS-R” means the document entitled, Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, Revised Edition, 1998, that is incorporated by reference.

(2) “ITERS” means the document entitled, Infant-Toddler Environment Rating Scale, 1990, that is incorporated by reference.

(3) “FDCRS” means the document entitled, Family Day Care Rating Scale, 1989, that is incorporated by reference.

(4) “SACERS” means the document entitled, School-Age Care Environment Rating Scale, 1996, that is incorporated by reference.

(g) “Parent involvement and education” means those activities specifically designed to include parents in the education of their children, help parents participate in the program, and enhance their understanding of child development.

(h) “Parent survey” means a questionnaire completed by the parent to assess the child care program or services that the child and family receive. The parent survey asks for information about how the program helps parents support their child's learning and development and meets the family's needs.

(i) “Program self-evaluation process” means those activities and procedures used by the contractor to evaluate its program quality and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and contractual provisions.

(j) “Staff development program” means those activities that address the needs, interests, and skills of program staff or service providers to improve program quality.

NOTE: Authority cited: Section 8261, Education Code. Reference: Sections 8203 and 8261, Education Code.