Research

Michigan Department of Education awarded a grant to HighScope to evaluate Great Start to Quality (GSQ), Michigan’s Tiered Quality Rating Improvement System, and determine its validity and effectiveness. This is part of the state’s Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge Grant award. The goal of this validation study is to determine how well the GSQ rating levels are reflecting quality in center- and home-based programs across the state. We will be randomly selecting 450 programs with a 1-star to 5-star rating based on program type, location, and size. All center-based and home-based child care programs participating in GSQ will be eligible for the study, except for those rated using an alternative pathway, such as Great Start Readiness Programs (GSRP), Head Start programs, and NAEYC-accreditation.