Contact Info
Julie Montali
Christine Smith
Anjanette Jones
Linnea Hathaway
Joan Davidson
Nathanael Gale
Emma Baier
Jo Anne Dixon
sacramentocountyqris@scoe.net
(916) 228-2506
Raising Quality Together: Sacramento County's Quality Rating and Improvement System
Raising Quality Together (RQT) is Sacramento County’s Quality Rating and Improvement System.
The primary purposes of RQT are to:
- Help families identify high-quality early learning settings.
- Assist early learning programs, directors and staff with their efforts to provide high-quality early care and education.
- Offer research-based resources, information, and professional development to early learning programs, administrators and staff.
The Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) is a voluntary program focused on creating a comprehensive system that establishes uniform standards of quality for early learning programs, and provides quality research-based support for licensed early care and education centers and family child care homes serving children birth through age five.
Additional Information
Research studies have identified elements of quality for programs serving children age birth to five and their families. Raising QUALITY Together uses the following seven elements grouped under three core areas that are foundational for the Quality Rating and Improvement System.
Core 1: Child Development & School Readiness
- Element 1: Evidence-based child assessment or observation tool
- Element 2: Developmental health screenings with referral for families if needed
Core 2: Teacher and Teaching
- Element 3: Emphasis given to staff education and ongoing professional development
- Element 4: Effective adult-to-child interactions are consistent throughout the day
Core 3: Program and Environment
- Element 5: Safe environments planned to promote children’s optimum development
- Element 6: Small group sizes and low adult-to-child ratios to ensure children are given the attention they need
- Element 7: Directors are life-long learners that are visionary leaders
Featured Resources:
RQT Element Guidelines 2022-2023
Raising Quality Together (RQT) sites can use the Element Guidelines during their Validation and Self-Validation preparation....
Raising Quality Together (RQT) sites can use the Element Guidelines during their Validation and Self-Validation preparation....
RQT Staff Professional Learning (PL) Tracker
Document the number of professional learning (PL) hours that staff have completed using the RQT Staff PL Tracker....
Document the number of professional learning (PL) hours that staff have completed using the RQT Staff PL Tracker....
Professional Growth Plan (WPG and Child Development Permit Renewal)
This Professional Growth Plan can be used to document professional growth activities. Typically it is completed in advance of completing the activities to guide your growth as an early learning professional....
This Professional Growth Plan can be used to document professional growth activities. Typically it is completed in advance of completing the activities to guide your growth as an early learning professional....
ITERS R Expanded Scoresheet
Use this scoresheet to document the completion of the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale (ITERS) assessment....
Use this scoresheet to document the completion of the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale (ITERS) assessment....
Raising Quality Together: Sacramento County Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) 2018 - 2019 Tier Ratings
This document presents the 2018-2019 QRIS Tier Ratings earned by early learning centers and family child care homes participating in the Raising Quality Together (RQT) system....
This document presents the 2018-2019 QRIS Tier Ratings earned by early learning centers and family child care homes participating in the Raising Quality Together (RQT) system....
FCCERS R Expanded Scoresheet
Use this scoresheet to document the completion of the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale (FCCERS) assessment....
Use this scoresheet to document the completion of the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale (FCCERS) assessment....
Raising Quality Together (RQT) 2019 - 2020 Site Binder (9/17/19)
This document explains the Sacramento County's Quality Rating and Improvement System: Raising Quality Together (RQT) program. Highlights include the services and supports available to participating early learning centers and...
This document explains the Sacramento County's Quality Rating and Improvement System: Raising Quality Together (RQT) program. Highlights include the services and supports available to participating early learning centers and...
RQT Professional Learning (PL) Calendar 2022-2023
Raising Quality Together (RQT) offers virtual and in-person training/professional learning (PL). Session titles and registration links can be found on this document....
Raising Quality Together (RQT) offers virtual and in-person training/professional learning (PL). Session titles and registration links can be found on this document....
Raising Quality Together Menu of Options for CLASS
Raising Quality Together offers CLASS-related professional learning options to programs participating at Step 2 or Step 3 level to support their program in the implementation of the CLASS tool. The CLASS tool is an observation instrument...
Raising Quality Together offers CLASS-related professional learning options to programs participating at Step 2 or Step 3 level to support their program in the implementation of the CLASS tool. The CLASS tool is an observation instrument...
Raising Quality Together Quality Improvement Plan
Each program participating in RQT develops a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) to support continuous quality improvement. The QIP is developed by selecting goals based on the seven Elements of quality within the QRIS Matrix. The plan is the...
Each program participating in RQT develops a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) to support continuous quality improvement. The QIP is developed by selecting goals based on the seven Elements of quality within the QRIS Matrix. The plan is the...
Raising Quality Together (RQT) Quality Counts California Matrix
RQT uses the Quality Counts California Matrix to measure seven elements of program quality....
RQT uses the Quality Counts California Matrix to measure seven elements of program quality....
RQT ERS Action Plan
After completing an Environmental Rating Scale (e.g., ITERS, ECERS, FCCERS), RQT participating sites use this ERS scores to identify at least two areas of improvement. Sites use the RQT ERS Action Plan to develop a plan to improve those areas and identify on the Action Plan...
After completing an Environmental Rating Scale (e.g., ITERS, ECERS, FCCERS), RQT participating sites use this ERS scores to identify at least two areas of improvement. Sites use the RQT ERS Action Plan to develop a plan to improve those areas and identify on the Action Plan...
CAP 8 and CAP Expansion Course Chart
This document ideentifies CAP 8 and CAP Expansion coursework at participating California community colleges....
This document ideentifies CAP 8 and CAP Expansion coursework at participating California community colleges....
Raising Quality Together (RQT) 2022-2023 Step 2 Star Chart
This document outlines the Step 2 requirements and supports for the 2022-2023 program year....
This document outlines the Step 2 requirements and supports for the 2022-2023 program year....
Child Development Permit FAQ (American River College)
Answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Child Development Permit acquistion, written by American River College (ARC) faculty. While some supports are ARC-specific, this document has valuable information for any early learning...
Answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Child Development Permit acquistion, written by American River College (ARC) faculty. While some supports are ARC-specific, this document has valuable information for any early learning...
Professional Growth Plan (WPG and Child Development Permit Renewal)
This Professional Growth Plan can be used to document professional growth activities. Typically it is completed in advance of completing the activities to guide your growth as an early learning professional....
This Professional Growth Plan can be used to document professional growth activities. Typically it is completed in advance of completing the activities to guide your growth as an early learning professional....
ECERS R Expanded Scoresheet
Use this scoresheet to document the completion of the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS) assessment....
Use this scoresheet to document the completion of the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS) assessment....
CAP Course List
The California Community Colleges Curriculum Alignment Project (CAP) developed a 24 unit lower-division program of study supporting early care and education teacher preparation. Aligned courses taken at one college are accepted at another CAP participating college. The CAP Course...
The California Community Colleges Curriculum Alignment Project (CAP) developed a 24 unit lower-division program of study supporting early care and education teacher preparation. Aligned courses taken at one college are accepted at another CAP participating college. The CAP Course...
RQT Documentation Checklist - Earning 5 Points on Element 2: Developmental and Health Screenings
This checklist identifies the documentation necessary for an RQT-participating site to demonstrate an in-house developmental and health screening process to earn 5 points in Element 2: Developmental...
This checklist identifies the documentation necessary for an RQT-participating site to demonstrate an in-house developmental and health screening process to earn 5 points in Element 2: Developmental...
Raising Quality Together (RQT) 2022-2023 Step 3 Star Chart
This document outlines the RQT Step 3 requirements and supports for the 2022-2023 program year....
This document outlines the RQT Step 3 requirements and supports for the 2022-2023 program year....
Raising Quality Together Professional Development Hours Handout
This handout provides guidance related to the professional development requirements identified in Element 3: Early Childhood Educator Qualifications....
This handout provides guidance related to the professional development requirements identified in Element 3: Early Childhood Educator Qualifications....
