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standards. Describe: - Curriculum training for implementation of Creative Curriculum is offered across the state through state general funds and CCDF. - Curriculum 101 - Training about identifying developmentally appropriate, aligned curriculum and using appropriate curriculum is provided through CCDF funds and state general funds.

Providing onsite or accessible comprehensive services for children and

developing community partnerships that promote families' access to services that support their children's learning and development Describe:

Using data to guide program evaluation to ensure continuous improvement Describe: Individual program level: Nebraska promotes the use of program quality measures (ERS and CLASS program quality tools). A significant infrastructure has been created to support several levels of trained observers. Staff from child care can attend specific training designed for the participant to learn about one or more of the ERS tools. A second level of training allows participants to learn about the chosen scale in greater depth. Finally, participants have the opportunity to train and then achieve reliability with an anchor. For the CLASS tools, introductory training is offered and then participants can take the CLASS reliability assessment. A state infrastructure is in place to ensure reliability for the CLASS tools as well. Observers using CLASS for step ratings in Step up to Quality or in school districts reach a higher level of reliability. Nebraska requires the use of anchors for CLASS tools. These anchors have reached reliability in a double coding system created by the authors of the CLASS tools. Step Up to Quality has embedded the use of program quality tools into the criteria of the steps. The infant/Toddler Quality initiative uses the ERS tools to measure program quality and as a baseline for program improvement. The infrastructure is funded with multiple funding sources. State funds for school based programs fund some of the infrastructure for the ECERS-3. State funds for the ERS (infant/Toddler, preschool, and family child care) and CLASS are paid by state funds for Step Up to Quality. Funding for program quality observations is divided among the above two funding sources, as well as CCDF quality funds for programs participating in Step Up to Nebraska Page 274 of 314