Loyola University Chicago

• An overview of the Initiative
• Project Goals and Objectives
• Action Plans and Implications
• Creating a Community of Growth and Development
• Valuing Dialogue and Shared Learning
• Measurements of Success

1. Assessment Conducted by McCormick Tribune Center for Early Childhood Leadership

In the spring of 2006, staff from the McCormick Tribune Center for Early Childhood Leadership at National-Louis University conducted their second program quality assessment of the participating agencies (the first assessment was conducted in the fall of 2002).

Highlights from the summary report:

• There were notable improvements in the level of program quality as measured by the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R).

There were significant improvements in the quality of administrative practices as measured by the Program Administration Scale (PAS)

• The centers demonstrated higher quality interactions between teachers and children as measured by the Caregiver Interaction Scale (CIS).

• There was an overall increase in the quality of the work environment in the centers as measured by the Early Childhood Work Environment Scale (ECWES).

2. Final Evaluation Conducted by CURL

CURL is currently in the process of creating a report that displays the comprehensive plans developed by the nine agency-sponsored child care programs, as well as the implications this initiative holds toward future successes in the child care industry.