Upcoming Changes for Centers!
Illinois will soon introduce a new classroom assessment tool in child care centers participating in ExceleRate Illinois. ITERS-3 will replace ITERS-R to assess classrooms where most children are birth to 36 months old. ITERS-3 is like the other ERS tools in format and method of scoring; however, the scale authors have made some important enhancements, including:
- Greater focus on intentional teaching and interactions with children as they use materials.
- Based entirely on the 3-hour observation; no longer includes a teacher interview.
- Accessibility looks at access to materials based on the abilities of young infants, older non-mobile infants, and mobile children; no longer includes “Much of the Day”.
- Provisions for relaxation and comfort included in Space and furnishings subscale.
- Interaction and Language and Books subscales expanded to include 6 items.
- Provisions for children with disabilities incorporated into other items.
Email communication was sent to Bronze, Silver, and Gold (Assessment Path) licensed child care center contacts on 12/10/24 and 1/29/24. Emails were inclusive of important timeframes and information to be aware of.
Silver and Gold Head Start Path program contacts received communication on 12/11/24 and 1/29/24.
ExceleRate centers- please watch your email for updates on the transition over the next several months!