QRIS supports the continuous learning and quality improvement of early childhood programs, but the quality rating and improvement system itself is also constantly undergoing the same process to ensure it is designed and implemented in a way that leads to the best possible outcomes for children, families, and educators. Here are some tools to learn more about the research and evaluation of QRIS:

• Evaluation and Research Topic Page (QRIS National Learning Network)
• Quality Rating Systems Assessment Project (OPRE, Administration for Children and Families)
• Measures Used in QRIS Validation Studies (OPRE, Administration for Children and Families)
• Issues for the Next Decade of Child Care Quality Rating Systems (Child Trends)
• Child-Care Quality Rating and Improvement Systems: What Can We Learn from Early Adopters? (RAND Corporation)

State Examples

• Parent Aware Validation Letter and Report (Minnesota, 2016)
• Independent Evaluation of California’s Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge Quality Rating and Improvement System: Cumulative Technical Report (California, 2016)
• Paths to Quality – Child Care Quality Rating System for Indiana: What is its Scientific Basis? (Indiana, 2008)