An assessment of the North Carolina school-age child care accreditation initiative. (Connecting Classroom Practice and Research).--Hall & Cassidy The purpose of this study was to determine if participation in the North Carolina North Carolina, state in the SE United States. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean (E), South Carolina and Georgia (S), Tennessee (W), and Virginia (N). Facts and Figures Area, 52,586 sq mi (136,198 sq km). Pop. Quality Enhancement Initiative (NCQEI) improved the overall quality of the 26 participating school-age child care programs in three North Carolina communities. A paired t-test t-test, n an inferential statistic used to test for differences between two means (groups) only. This statistic is used for small samples (e.g., N < 30). Also called t-ratio, stu-dent's t. showed a positive and significant increase in the quality of school-age child care environments and teacher/child interactions over the nine-month period, from pre-initiative to post-initiative. Pre-initiative and pre- pre- word element [L.], before (in time or space). pre- pref. 1. Earlier; before; prior to: prenatal. 2. to post-initiative difference scores on each dependent measure were grouped together, using a cluster analysis Cluster analysis A statistical technique that identifies clusters of stocks whose returns are highly correlated within each cluster and relatively uncorrelated across clusters. Cluster analysis has identified groupings such as growth, cyclical, stable, and energy stocks. . Each cluster of programs was compared to determine relationships between these program variables and the program clusters. A state license and a smaller group size were related to higher quality programs at pre-initiative. Director education, teacher salary, a state license, and program size were related to greatest program improvement from pre-initiative to post-initiative. In addition, six of the 10 programs were awarded accreditation accreditation, n a process of formal recognition of a school or institution attesting to the required ability and performance in an area of education, training, or practice. by the National School-Age Care Alliance. The authors believe these findings suggest that participation in program improvement initiatives is a viable means of improving the quality of school-age child care programs. |
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