The Quest for Quality

High-quality early childhood programs have a tremendous positive impact on children's school readiness and long-term success--but with obstacles like high teacher turnover and a fragmented system, many programs don't give young children the best possible start. Decision-makers can work toward change with the help of this forward-thinking book, the most comprehensive, up-to-date research synthesis available on quality in early childhood education (ECE). Bringing together the biggest ideas and the best thinking from more than a dozen top researchers in the ECE quality movement, this book clearly lays out what we know about quality today, which areas need focused improvement efforts, and what kind of innovative program-level changes will strengthen outcomes for children. Beginning with an in-depth look at what makes a program ""high-quality,"" readers will fully explore the complex issues and challenges surrounding implementation of: a coordinated, comprehensive, and integrated ECE system; effective teacher professional development--both preservice and inservice; accurate quality measurement across all key facets of a program; early learning standards as a tool to guide program improvement efforts; technical assistance activities that enhance and sustain program quality; successful Quality Rating and Improvement Systems. Readers will get a complete primer on which policies are guiding programs now, such as NAEYC's 2009 Developmentally Appropriate Practices, the NAEYC/DEC joint position statement on early childhood inclusion, and various state standards. They'll also discover the promising new directions, bold innovations, and future policy requirements that will help them break down the barriers to program quality and repair the fragmented system. With this critical, rigorously researched look at the past, present, and future of early childhood education, program administrators and other decision-makers will have the insights they need to work for real change and ensure the high-quality education every young child deserves.