Understanding implementation in early head start programs: Implications for policy and practice

The primary goal of the National Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Project is to assess program implementation and the quality of key child development services in the study's 17 research programs. The evaluation team developed rating scales based on the Head Start Program Performance Standards and a process for rating key program elements, then synthesized a large amount of information about program implementation and quality into a concise set of ratings. The team used these ratings to examine programs' progress over time, interpret program impacts, and provide feedback to programs and technical assistance providers on implementation strategies. In this article, we present the rating scales and methods developed for assessing implementation and quality, describe the levels of implementation and quality attained four years after programs were funded, and discuss implications for policy and practice.