What it Means
The Social & Emotional Learning Program Quality Assessment (SEL PQA) is a tool used in programs serving children in Grades K-12. It measures research-identified best practices that support programs to be safe, supportive, interactive and engaging for school-agers and youth. The tool was created by the Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality.
Why it’s Important
The SEL PQA was chosen for Great Start to Quality to use with programs serving school-agers to measure safe environments, but to go a step further and look at the engagement and interactions in the program to lift up school-agers socially and emotionally. The needs of school-age youth are much different than young children and so a tool that specifically measures quality for school-age programs is important.
How is SEL PQA used?
SEL PQA observations will be conducted by trained and reliable observers focusing on a rich, engaging environment, and effective interactions. This could be a Great Start to Quality Assessor or an Approved Assessor.
Beginning on February 1, 2025, threshold scores for all school-age observations will be factored into the determination of the program’s quality level when they also serve children ages 0-5.
Who can use SEL PQA?
The SEL PQA is used in programs that serve school-agers in separate settings than children under age 5. The program may only serve school-agers or school-agers are in separate classrooms than younger children.
Threshold Scores
Programs must score a 3.5 or above for each group or classroom observation to reach Demonstrating Quality.
Resources and Training
The SEL PQA tool is available to anyone to download for free. Visit the Weikart Center website to fill out the form to download the tool. The Weikart Center also offers a full menu of trainings and supports for school-age staff to support quality improvements for school-agers.
Effective February 25, 2024, Michigan has removed the requirement to work with the Office of Child Support to receive help paying for child care. Check to see if you are now eligible!