Iowa State University Extension

Problem:
In the fall of 2005 the Harrison/Monona/Shelby Empowerment board funded Environment Rating Scale Observations for 22 classrooms in Harrison and Shelby Counties. Field Specialists Anderson and Hughes provided observation, written reports and consultations to classrooms. The Empowerment Board provided quality improvement dollars to classrooms who received observations. Both childcare providers and the Empowerment Board are interested in knowing if the reports, consultations and dollars improved Environment Rating Scale scores.

Response:
A plan was developed to observe only those items that scored below a 5 on the 7 point environment rating scale (selected because it is Iowa’s quality goal to have providers score at 5 or above), and to do immediate consultation without a written report. Observations were provided in the spring/early summer of 2007.

Impact:
Sixteen classrooms were still in operation at the time of observations and requested revisits. Five infant/toddler classrooms were revisited with a total of 134 items being rescored.

• 78 items improved their score (58%), with 48 items (36%) now scoring in the 5-7 range of the 7 point scale.
• 42 items (31%) remained the same and 14 items (10%) scored lower.
  
  

Eleven Early Childhood Classrooms were revisited with a total of 229 items being rescored.

• 140 items (78% improved), with 140 items (61%) now scoring in the 5-7 range of the 7 point scale.
• 54 items (24%) remained the same and 5 items (2%) scored lower.
  

On average the infant toddler classroom items scored 1.84 on the first visit and scored 3.81 on the 2nd visit for an average improvement of 1.97 points on the 7 point scale. On average the Early Childhood Classrooms items scored 2.27 on the first visit and 4.80 on the 2nd visit for an average improvement of 2.67 points on the 7 point scale.

Other Staff/Team Members Involved:
Mary Hughes, 712-366-7070, mhughes@iastate.edu

Harrison/Monona/Shelby Empowerment Board

Contact:
Patricia Anderson
West Pottawattamie Extension
Careers Bldg, 3501 Harry Langdon Blvd
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
712-366-7070
pander@iastate.edu