General
If a program did not achieve the Gold Circle of Quality due to assessment scores, INCCRRA will determine if verification results may qualify the program for the Silver Circle of Quality. If the program does not attain a Silver or Gold Circle as a result of this secondary review, they would have the option to appeal the Gold ineligibility decision (as that is the Circle initially applied for).
If a program applied for and was determined ineligible for the Silver Circle of Quality due to assessment scores, the program may submit an appeal.
Appeal Guidelines as outlined below must be followed:
- The program must contact and receive technical assistance from a CCR&R Quality or Infant Toddler specialist at the local CCR&R within 45 calendar days of the ineligibility determination date from INCCRRA. This technical assistance is the opportunity for the program to get clarification on the ERS assessment reports the program has received. INCCRRA will be informed when this initial contact has been completed.
Note: It is the program’s responsibility to contact the CCR&R specialist to set up a time to discuss results, as well as share assessment reports. Do not wait until the last minute to contact the CCR&R to receive technical assistance. Appeal timeframe will not be extended beyond 45 days for technical assistance to occur. - If the program still chooses to appeal after this technical assistance has been provided, a formal appeal letter may be submitted to INCCRRA. The specialist will not assist programs with writing an appeal. The program has 30 calendar days after the technical assistance date in which to file an appeal to the ExceleRate Illinois Coordinator in writing.
- Appeals specific to BAS assessment results will not be accepted or addressed at Silver, as results are not used to determine Silver eligibility. The BAS assessment was completed as part of continuous quality improvement for the program. Your CCR&R Quality or Infant Toddler Specialist can answer questions specific to BAS assessment.
Appeals must include:
- Program Information:
- Program DCFS license number
- Program address
- Program contact information - The program must list the Silver Circle of Quality assessment scores they are requesting be reviewed.
- The program must list the Items/indicators for the classroom/s that are being appealed and an explanation of why the program is appealing these scores.
- No photographs or policy documentation will be accepted as part of the appeal. If submitted, this information will not be reviewed or kept on file at INCCRRA.
Appeals should be submitted in writing to:
INCCRRA
1226 Towanda Plaza
Bloomington, IL 61701
Attn: ExceleRate Illinois Program Coordinator
After consultation with McCormick Center- National Louis University and appropriate State agencies, INCCRRA will send an appeal response in writing to the program within 60 calendar days of receipt of the appeal. The appeal decision is final.
If there is a change in assessment scores or Circle of Quality based on the appeal, an updated set of assessment report(s) along with an updated eligibility letter will be sent to the program. If applicable, any incentives associated with the updated rating would be effective the month following the appeal decision.
All Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Chicago Public Schools (CPS), Preschool for All (PFA), and Preschool for All Expansion (PFAE) programs participate in ExceleRate Illinois. A state approved assessor conducts on-site classroom assessments and monitoring using the ECERS-3/CLASS and the PFA/PFAE Compliance Checklist prescribed by ISBE in accordance with the ISBE monitoring schedule. Assignment of an ExceleRate Circle of Quality occurs by designated ISBE staff for school-based sites.
Any technical assistance and/ or training needs for PFA/PFAE programs should be coordinated with ISBE and their contracted Partners including Early Childhood Professional Learning, STAR NET, and Early Choices.
PFA or PFAE programs that have one or more licensed classrooms must apply via the Licensed Child Care Center Path.
Standards and Evidence for Preschool for All/Preschool for All Expansion Programs are available at:
All Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Chicago Public Schools (CPS), Preschool for All (PFA), and Preschool for All Expansion (PFAE) programs participate in ExceleRate Illinois. A state approved assessor conducts on-site classroom assessments and monitoring using the ECERS-3/CLASS and the PFA/PFAE Compliance Checklist prescribed by ISBE in accordance with the ISBE monitoring schedule. Assignment of an ExceleRate Circle of Quality occurs by designated ISBE staff for school-based sites.
Any technical assistance &/ or training needs for PFA/PFAE programs should be coordinated with ISBE and their contracted Partners including Early Childhood Professional Learning, STAR NET, and Early Choices.
PFA or PFAE programs that have one or more licensed classrooms must apply via the Licensed Child Care Center Path.
ExceleRate Illinois offers distinctive benefits for early learning and development programs, including:
- It details a process for making quality an ongoing priority.
- It keeps providers focused on whole child development.
- It clearly defines a consistent set of standards for quality improvement.
- It enables providers to focus on the individual quality issues that are most relevant to their practices.
- It recognizes and rewards a wide variety of quality improvement achievements.
- It helps providers access and stay current with emerging research, best practices, and information and training resources.
- It connects providers with expert consultants and assessment professionals.
Ultimately, Illinois children will reap the rewards from a statewide system that stresses quality in early learning and development programs and prepares them for success in school and life.