As states move ahead in enhancing systems of care for young children, assessing and improving the quality of early care and education programs at all levels are becoming increasingly important. This webinar presented by Mathematica's Center for Improving Research Evidence (CIRE) will examine Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRISs). Most states are already operating or developing QRISs, and federal investments and support are encouraging these efforts. The webinar will provide the federal and state context for QRIS data needs and highlight a new resource - the Quality Rating and Improvement System Evaluation Toolkit developed by Mathematica and Child Trends staff. The toolkit provides step-by-step instructions for assessing how QRISs work and measuring their effects. A state child care administrator will share lessons from working with the state research team to design evaluations and data systems that collect policy-relevant performance data and manage and improve QRISs. The webinar will be held on Thursday, November 10, 2011, from 3:30-5:00 p.m. (EST). Registration is required. For more information, click here: http://www.mathematica-mpr.com/Cire/forums/20111110/index.asp