Advancing Equity in Early Care and Education System with The American Rescue Plan Act
This policy agenda attends to critical levers to ensure equitable access, positive experiences, and outcomes that are not associated with demographic characteristics in learning systems for our youngest children and their families. The American Rescue Plan provides a unique opportunity to make tangible headway on this agenda. The report also reviews concrete ways to invest in ensuring equitable access, experiences, and outcomes and can be a tool to support states and tribes in building a pathway towards stronger, higher-quality, more equitable systems.
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Leading an Early Childhood Team Through the Quality Improvement Process
Article October 7, 2026
Published in Young Children, this 2024 article provides an operational guide for aligning state QIS requirements with broader national standards, quality grants, and staff incentives.
Much-Needed Changes in Child Care Quality Rating and Improvement Systems Should Promote Equity
Blog October 7, 2026
Blog authors Gina Adams and Danielle Ewen outline systemic flaws in traditional models. This 2024 blog details how traditional QRIS frameworks often inadequately support parents, underinvest in actual center improvement, and inadvertently exacerbate funding inequalities among diverse childcare providers.
Four Trends in Early Care and Education Quality Rating and Improvement Systems
Fact Sheet October 7, 2026
This 2024 brief evaluates Parent Aware (Minnesota's system) and synthesizes interviews across six states (Delaware, Louisiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Washington). It identifies critical, modern pathways for administrators looking to overhaul and redesign state frameworks.