California After School Program Quality Self-Assessment Tool

The New California After School Program Quality Self-Assessment Tool is Now Available!

The New California After School Program Quality Self-Assessment Tool Has Arrived!
The new and improved, second version of the California Afterschool Program Quality Self-Assessment Tool (QSA) and User's Guide have recently been finalized with extensive input from the California after school field.  Programs can use the tool to self-assess their program and make plans for program improvement.  The Network is happy to offer both resources for free download to after school programs. 

How was the QSA Tool Revised?
Network staff have been working tirelessly with California after school stakeholders and providers to roll out and revise the first version of the QSA Tool.  The Network released the original version of the tool in September 2008 for its pilot year. In the past year, Network Staff engaged the CDE, Regional Leads, The California After School Demonstration Program (CASDP), The California After School Inclusion Project, California Tomorrow, The Alliance for a Better Community, The Center for Afterschool Education, The Network Quality Committee, The Network Nutrition and Physical Activity Committee, ASAP Connect, after school providers, QSA Tool Implementation Pilot Sites, and national experts in the revision of the Tool.

What's new about the QSA Tool?
The tool has been strengthened to:

• Increase assessment effectiveness at the site (point of service) level
• Increase clarity of each indicator to reduce inference for the user
• Include Indicators on Nutrition and Physical Activity in after school programs
• Include Indicators on supporting English Learners in after school programs

How do I get training on the QSA Tool?
The Network will be providing up to four trainings on the QSA Tool in each region.  Participants will leave the training with hard copies of the Tool and User's Guide and an understanding of how to incorporate the QSA Tool for program self-assessment and program improvement. To find out when your training is, contact your regional lead.