Evaluation of Keystone STARS
Quality Rating System: Part of a
Multi-Dimensional Model for
Improving Child Care Quality*
Richard Fiene, Ph.D.
Penn State University
* Paper presented at NAEYC Research Symposium,
June 9, 2007, University of Pittsburgh
Methods for Achieving Quality Child Care
GOALS
NONREGULATORY METHODS
REGULATORY METHODS
Public Education
Accreditation
Training of
caregivers &
admin
Credentialing
Rate setting
Approval of
public operated
programs
Association
membership
Newsletters.,
Journals & Books
Development of
Resource &
Referral Centers
YOUNG CHILDREN Vol. 34 No. 6
Sept. 1979, pp. 22-27 Gwen G
Morgan
Fiscal regulation
Zoning
Environmental
health
Licensing or
registration
Building & fire
safety
Base line or floor of quality below which no service may legally operate
Exempt
programs
Criminal
sanctions
Illegal unlicensed
operations
Abuse & neglectful care
Regulatory Approaches toward Achieving
Quality

Credentialing:
A formally recognized process of certifying an
individual as having fulfilled certain criteria or requisites.

Contracts:
Regulation by contract in which performance
standards are imposed as a contractual obligation.

Accreditation:

Best Practices: Through affiliation with professional organizations, an agency
The formal recognition that an agency or organization has compiled
with the requisites for accreditation by an accrediting body.
Accreditation usually requires the organization seeking this form of
recognition to pay for the cost of the process. The organization
bestowing the accreditation has no legal authority to compel
compliance. It can only remove accreditation standing.
becomes aware of “best practices” and establishes its own goals to
achieve a higher level of care services.
Non-Regulatory Approaches to
Achieving Quality Care in Child Care
Programs








Consultation
Consumer Education
Peer Support Associations
Professional Organizations
Resource and Referral
Technical Assistance
Training-Staff Development
Quality Rating Systems
ZERO TO THREE’s Better Care for the Babies
Project: A System’s Approach to
State Child Care Planning—Griffin/Fiene, 1995
Inputs
Processes
Outcomes
Agency Rule Making Authority
Interagency Review
Regulations,
Requirements,
Codes,
Funding Rules
Comparison State
Standards to National
Guidelines Identifying
Gaps & Weakness
Monitoring System
Surveillance
Licensing
Registration
Certification
Compliance Study
&State Profile Rule
Change/Clarification
Guidance Material
Training & TA
Consumer Materials
CCR&R
Local CC Programs
CC Organizations
Consumers
Monitors
Weighted Indicator
Checklist
Field Survey
Focus Groups
Public Hearings
Consistent Data Collection
Combined/Cost-Effective Use of
Resources to Meet State Priorities
Strength/Clarity of Rules Reduced
Duplication of Rules Consistency
Across Agencies
Monitoring Efficiency Program
Compliance Targeting Resources to
Areas of Need
Monitoring Effectiveness Training &
Technical Assistance Program
Compliance
Consensus-Building Increased StateLocal Cooperation
Pennsylvania Early
Childhood Quality Studies


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2006 = Barnard, Etheridge Smith, Fiene, &
Swanson (2006)
2002 = Fiene, Greenberg, Bergsten, Fegley,
Carl, & Gibbons (2002)
1996 = Iutcovich, Fiene, Johnson, Koppel, &
Langan (1998, 2001)
1990 = Melnick & Fiene (1990)
1984 = Kontos & Fiene (1986, 1987)
1978 = Fiene & Aronson (1979)
2006 ECE Quality Study
(Keystone STARS) Methodology

572 programs
356 Child Care Centers
135 Family Child Care Homes
81 Group Child Care Homes

ECERS/FDCRS Assessments



Key Findings from 2006 ECE
Quality Study (Keystone STARS)

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Child care quality is improving
Keystone STARS centers show higher
quality
Programs with a defined curriculum
have higher quality
Teachers with college degrees provide
higher quality early education
Early Childhood Quality Data
(2006): ECERS Scores by STAR
Level
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STAR Level
ECERS Scores
Not in STARS
3.90
Start with STARS
STAR 1
STAR 2
STAR 3
STAR 4
4.08
4.20
4.45
4.95
5.42
Comparisons to Previous Early
Childhood Quality Studies
(1978-2006)
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Year
1978
1984
1990
1996
2002
ECERS Scores
4.75 (CDPES)
4.00
4.00
4.50
4.00
2006
2006
2006
2006
3.90
4.11
4.33
5.25
Not in STARS
Start with STARS
STAR 1 & 2
STAR 3 & 4
ECERS Scores by STAR Level
6
5
4
3
ECERS
2
1
0
Start
STAR 1
STAR 2
STAR 3
STAR 4
ECERS Comparisons to Previous
Early Childhood Quality Studies
6
5
4
Not in STARS
Start w/STARS
STARS 1&2
STARS 3&4
3
2
1
0
1978 1984 1990 1996 2002 2006
For additional information:
Richard Fiene, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Human Development
Penn State University
W-157 Olmsted Building
Middletown, Pennsylvania 17057
717-329-7309
[email protected]
http://www.hhdev.psu.edu/cahhdi/