Using an environment rating scale helps educators reflect on both the strengths & areas for improvement in their classroom. The environment rating scale is an instrument that measures program quality by rating the education program, the staff development program, parent involvement and education.
Regulations & Policy
State Title 5 Section 17711 & 18281
We are required by our funder, the California Department Social Services, to annually assess our CCTR (Early Head Start) classrooms using the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale (ITERS).
Classrooms must achieve a rating of “Good”, defined as scoring at least an average of 5.0 on each sub-scale on the environmental rating scale.
Role of the ITERS
Designed to measure program quality in a classroom
All items measure the environment, along with the educators ability to support children’s basic needs. Basic needs of children include:
Protection of their health/safety
Supporting and guiding positive relationships
Providing appropriate learning opportunities
Organizing the Environment
Carefully review & set-up environment using the Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scale (ITERS)
Space & Furnishings due prior to 1st class
Personal Care Routines, Listening & Talking, Activities, Interaction, Program Structure, and Parents & Staff due within 60 days
Tools:
Ratings
Each item in the ITERS tool will be scored. The goal is to have a minimum score of 5 within each subscale (not item).
Ratings are based on levels of quality. When scoring, each section builds onto the next. Start with 1 & work their way up the scale. One of the most common errors when classrooms prepare for the ERS is to jump to 5 or 6. If 1, 2 or 3 are not met, then the score stops. It is not realistic to score 7 across all items.
To determine the subscale average, the subscale items are added together & divided by the total number of items scored
Results/Blueprint for Quality Improvement
Ratings on items are used to gather information on strengths/weaknesses in a variety of areas/items. Results used as a blueprint for improvement.
ITERS results will be used to develop action steps for any sub-scales scored below a Good (5) rating. The plan will be recorded on the Summary of Findings form.
Note: Follow-up/Reflection will be completed according to the Year at a Glance schedule.
Tools:
Summary of Findings Instructions & Form
