Virginia Childhood Transition Plan
In July 2020, Governor Northam signed legislation to create a Unified Measurement and Improvement System. Over the next three years, VDOE will work with a variety of stakeholders to develop and scale the new system. This will include two years of practice with the new system through the Preschool Development Grant (PDG). By fall 2023, all publicly-funded programs will be required to participate with ratings shared publicly in fall 2024.
This document outlines the plan to phase in a ‘freeze’ of Virginia Quality ratings to support the overall transition to the new unified measurement and improvement system.
Transition Timeline
March 1, 202 1 – All programs who are currently at Virginia Quality Level 4 or 5 will have their ratings automatically extended through Fall 2024.
- In order to continue receiving improvement support through Virginia Quality during the practice years, Level 4/5 programs will need to participate in PDG. Improvement supports delivered through Virginia Quality will be based on needs identified in PDG practice ratings.
June 30, 2021 – Deadline for any new program to apply to participate in Virginia Quality.
- After 6/30/21, interested applicants will be referred to their local PDG for a practice rating and improvement support.
- Exception: If a program is located in an area without PDG, they may apply for Virginia Quality at Level 1; Fast Track will not be an option under this exception.
June 30, 2022 – Deadline for participating programs to move up to Levels 2-5.
- Applications for levels 2-5 will be processed following regular procedures, in alignment with any health and safety guidelines related to COVID-19.
- To maintain active program status, programs will need to continue to work on their quality improvement plans and complete the annual update/renewal process.
July 2022 – Virginia Quality Rating Levels will be “frozen”.
- All quality levels awarded as of July 2022 will remain valid and publicly available, until the new unified system ratings are released in the fall of 2024.
- Virginia Quality programs will be encouraged to participate in the practice year ratings through PDG. Results from the practice year ratings will help guide ongoing support by Virginia Quality.
Fall 2024 – All Virginia Quality ratings will expire.
- New unified system ratings will be released, marking the official end of Virginia Quality as Virginia’s QRIS.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the legislation, timeline and process for building the new unified measurement and improvement system.
CLICK HERE to view a list of current PDG communities. (Note – additional PDG communities will be announced in May 2021 as a part of the Cohort 3 application.)
Questions about the Virginia Quality Transition plan may be addressed to kris.meyers@doe.virginia.gov