Preschool Program Quality Assessment

The Preschool Program Quality Assessment (PQA) is an evaluation tool that is used to determine the quality of an early childhood program and to identify staff training needs. The instrument is designed for usage in a Head Start, High Scope environment; however, it can be used appropriately in just about any childcare center.

The assessment tool is based on the five key objectives of Head Start, which are: enhancing children's growth and development; strengthening families as the primary nurturers of their children; providing children with educational, health, and nutritional services; linking children and families to needed community services; and ensuring well-managed programs that involve parents in decision making (2004). The PQA consists of seven key areas to be assessed for quality. They are: 1) Learning Environment; 2) Daily Routine; 3) Adult-Child Interaction; 4) Curriculum Planning and Assessment; 5) Parent Involvement and Family Services; 6) Staff Qualifications and Staff Development; and 7) Program Management. A perfect score on the PQA reflects the ideal High Scope preschool; and that is "children learning through the active involvement with people, materials, events, and ideas" (2004).

As each area is assessed, the assessor uses indicators between one and five, one being a low score and five being a high score. After scoring each area, space is provided to support the score with evidences and anecdotes; which is recommended no matter the score. The total assessment is sixty pages long including the final page, which is a summary sheet. The summary sheet should include all of the ratings for each section and include the total and average scores. A complete assessment should take at least one full day per classroom to complete. This includes half of the day observing the classroom and the other half to conduct interviews with teachers and staff members.