QUALITYstarsNY is excited to report that 336 participating programs have submitted their Standards Self-Study, a critical component of Phase Two of the Quality Improvement process. The QUALITYstarsNY rating team has been been actively reviewing and evaluating each site's documents and materials and generating Provisional Ratings.

A team of QUALITYstarsNY independent assessors have been simultaneously working with sites to conduct Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessments. The results of these observations will inform the sites' Active Ratings.

Participants are taking advantage of the range of quality improvement supports and opportunities available to them. In addition to working with their designated Quality Improvement Specialist to review Provisional Ratings and create individualized Quality Improvement Plans (QIP), many providers and site administrators have been actively participating in local Learning Communities. These Learning Communities provide opportunities for program leadership and staff to come together to share and learn best practices through peer mentorship. Read about a recent Learning Community meeting in our Spotlight column.

• Active Ratings and ERS assessment results to be issued.

• Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) trainings to become available in preparation for 2014 CLASS observations for centers and public schools.

• QUALITYstarsNY website to launch Family Portal - a designated space on the website to help families identify quality early learning programs and promote quality at home and in the classroom.