QRIS Ratings
State-funded Early Learning For All programs serving preschoolers have been required to participate in QRIS and receive ratings based on California’s Quality Counts statewide quality standards. Ratings helped provide a sense of a program’s strengths as well as areas for improvement. Ratings were conducted by independent trained observers from DEC, using methods specified by Quality Counts California.
In the coming years, there will be changes to the Statewide QRIS. While the State is vetting those changes, they have decided to streamline the current rating process. Below is a summary of the changes for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 fiscal years.
CLASS® as the Sole Rating Element for CSPP QRIS Ratings
Per California Department of Education (CDE) guidance outlined in the Quality Counts California Implementation Guide (Revised July 2025), Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) ratings for California State Preschool Program (CSPP) sites will be based solely on Element 4b (CLASS®). While other elements of the Quality Continuum Framework (QCF), such as ratios and group size, curriculum and teacher qualifications, remain essential for continuous quality improvement (CQI), they will not be factored into formal QRIS rating determinations during this cycle.
This streamlined approach ensures alignment with CDE’s Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) mixed-delivery system and promotes consistency across rated programs statewide.
CLASS® Observation Scope
Only CLASS® PreK–Third Grade observations will be used to determine QRIS ratings for classrooms that enroll CSPP children. San Francisco DEC has designated WestEd as the independent provider of CLASS observations for QRIS ratings in order to maintain consistency and meet the independent provider of CLASS observations for QRIS ratings.
Rating Elements
Ratings are based on:
Element 4b: CLASS® PreK–Third Grade Edition – please see the table below for updated thresholds.
Element
1 Point
2 Points
3 Points
4 Points
5 Points
Core II: Teachers and Teaching
4b. Effective Teacher-Child Interactions: Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS)
N/A
N/A
CLASS 2nd Edition Pre-K-3rd Assessment completed by an independent certified CLASS observer to inform continuous quality improvement AND CLASS Environment Observation completed by an independent certified CLASS observer
CLASS 2nd Edition Pre-K-3rd Assessment completed by an independent certified CLASS observer to inform continuous quality improvement AND CLASS Environment Observation completed by an independent certified CLASS observer AND Meets domain score requirements of:
Pre-K:
•Emotional Support: 5
•Classroom Organization:5
•Instructional Support: 3
CLASS 2nd Edition Pre-K-3rd Assessment completed by an independent certified CLASS observer to inform continuous quality improvement AND CLASS Environment Observation completed by an independent certified CLASS observer AND Meets domain score requirements of:
Pre-K:
•Emotional Support: 5.5
•Classroom Organization: 5.5
•Instructional Support: 3.5
As noted above, CLASS and ERS Assessments are critical elements of the ratings process. Click on the link below for more information and resources on these assessments:
Getting a Rating
A site’s rating is valid for 3 (for Tier 3) -5 years (for Tiers 4 and 5) from the time the overall site rating is assigned.
Please contact Jennifer Martinez, to plan your QRIS Rating and Assessments.
Continuous Quality Improvement
Updated ELFA Quality Standards Aligned with the Quality Continuum Framework:
While the full Quality Continuum Framework (QCF) is not used for program rating, it remains an essential tool for guiding local Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) efforts. San Francisco has updated the local ELFA Quality Standards to align with the QCF, ensuring consistency and relevance across programs.
Programs are encouraged to engage in reflective practice and continuous improvement in key areas such as:
- Inclusive and equitable practices
- Family engagement and partnership
- Culturally and linguistically responsive care
- Staff-to-child ratios and group size
Infant/Toddler Classrooms: Continue Using QCF
CSPP sites that serve infants and toddlers are encouraged to use the local standards and QCF to guide internal Continuous Quality Improvement planning, especially in mixed-age classrooms or family child care settings. These practices remain foundational even though they are not part of QRIS rating thresholds this cycle.