The Preschool Program Quality Assessment (PQA) is a rating instrument designed to evaluate the quality of early childhood programs and identify staff training needs. 

The Preschool PQA is reliable and valid and is appropriate for use in all center-based early childhood settings, including but not limited to those using the HighScope educational approach.

The Preschool PQA is an all-in-one program evaluation system with the following features:

• Assesses key aspects of program quality
• Reflects research-based and field-tested best practices in early childhood education and care
• Can be aligned with the Head Start Program Performance Standards
• Provides reliable, scientifically validated assessment proven in a wide range of early childhood programs and settings
• Can be used as a basis for program accreditation, reporting, monitoring, and training

What does the Preschool PQA assess?
The PQA covers 63 dimensions of program quality in 7 domains: learning environment, daily routine, adult-child interaction, curriculum planning and assessment, parent involvement and family services, staff qualifications and development, and program management.

How does the Preschool PQA work?
Raters observe the program and interview the appropriate staff members. They record supporting evidence for each row (component) of every item. They read the indicators (definitions and examples) for that row and check the one box per row that best reflects the supporting evidence. Then, using the scoring rules they circle one item rating for the item as a whole.

What do I need to get started?
There are three pieces to the Preschool PQA Starter Set:

• Administration Manual
  This book tells you how to use the PQA.
• Form A – Classroom Items
  This form is used to evaluate items on the classroom level.
• Form B – Agency Items
  This form is used to evaluate items on the agency level.

Replacement forms can be ordered individually.