Temple Emanu El Preschool in Orange has been awarded the Ohio Step Up To Quality Gold rating, recognizing the preschool’s adherence to all state requirements set by the Ohio Department of Education.
Step Up To Quality is Ohio’s rating and improvement system for early childhood programs. It highlights and supports programs that go beyond minimum licensing standards. The system is based on national research that identifies key practices linked to better outcomes for children.
In July 2023, Ohio’s Department of Job and Family Services and the Department of Education merged to form the new Department of Children and Youth. As part of this shift, Ohio’s Step Up To Quality system has undergone changes. Previously, the system used a 5-star rating scale, with schools earning points for implementing certain standards to reach higher star levels. Now, the system requires programs to meet a set of clearly defined standards to qualify for each rating level.
Ellie Gulling, the preschool’s director of early childhood education, explained the updates. “With the new system, it’s no longer about adding points for specific practices. Instead, there are set standards that must be met to achieve a higher rating. This makes the process clearer and more straightforward,” she said in a press release.
The new system also shifts the evaluation process. Instead of reviewing paperwork, inspectors now observe classroom practices to assess how standards are being applied in real-time. This change aims to provide a clearer understanding of how quality standards are implemented.
Additionally, the state has introduced several initiatives to make high-quality early childhood education more accessible. Partnerships with organizations like Brightwheel enhance communication between schools and families, while efforts to reduce the cost of quality curriculums and provide developmental screenings help programs raise their standards. These changes are designed to improve early education across Ohio by supporting programs and making quality education easier to assess.
Gulling praised the updates, stating that they will improve early education and make it more accessible for programs throughout the state. “These changes are positive and will have a significant impact on the quality of early childhood education in Ohio,” she added.
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