Discussion: Quality Monitors and Controls
Having plans in place to evaluate the performance of staff and the quality of the center as a whole is an important responsibility for directors of child development centers. Without an accurate picture of how staff members and the center as a whole is performing, it is impossible to determine which areas need improvement and which areas should be replicated or celebrated for their success. In this Discussion, you will consider how you, as a director, might approach assessment and evaluation. Reflect on the following:
• How might you monitor the performance of your staff-in other words, on what basis (monthly, quarterly, yearly) and via what methods? Would you use a performance appraisal form similar to that shown in Figure 8.4 in the course text? Why or why not?
• How might you assess the children in your program as part of the center evaluation? Consider at least one specific assessment method and why you would choose to use it.
• How and why might you collect data from children, teachers, families, and/or the community/other professionals in order to evaluate and monitor the quality of the child development center as a whole? Consider at least two of these groups of people.
With these thoughts in mind, follow the instructions below to post your response to this Discussion topic.
Post a description of how you, as a center director, might monitor the performance of your staff, including on what basis (frequency) and with which specific methods (e.g., observation, performance appraisal). Then, describe at least one way you might assess the children in your program, explaining why you might use this method and how the results might factor into your center evaluation. Finally, identify at least two groups of people from whom you would collect data in order to evaluate the quality of the child development center as a whole. Explain why, as well as how, specifically, you might gather the information you need to conduct your evaluation.
Read a selection of your colleagues' postings. As you read their responses, note those to which you would like to respond with advice, questions, comments, and/or encouragement.
Respond to two or more of your colleagues' postings in any of the following ways:
• Build on something your colleague said.
• Explain why and how you see things differently.
• Ask a probing or clarifying question.
• Share an insight from having read your colleague's posting.
• Offer and support an opinion.
• Validate an idea with your own experience.
• Expand on your colleague's posting.
• Ask for evidence that supports the posting.
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Reflect on what you learned in this activity and/or insights you gained.