Voices of families: A critical policy analysis of the Colorado Shines Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) family partnership component

A significant racial and ethnic achievement gap exists even before children start school, referred to as the school readiness gap. Children of color are more likely to live in poverty and go to school in high-poverty areas than their White peers. Engaged families are crucial to a child's learning and development. High-quality preschool programs are an effective investment in supporting academic outcomes for all children, especially children of color and children growing up in poverty. Family-school-community partnerships are one component of high-quality early childhood programs. The Colorado Shines Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) family partnership component is a set of criteria to evaluate the quality of family partnerships in early childhood education programs throughout Colorado. The purpose of this dissertation study is to determine to what extent the values, beliefs, and perceptions of families of color living in poverty are aligned with the statewide family partnerships quality standards. Data collected through sixteen interviews with families of color living in poverty who have a preschool-aged child were compared to the family partnership component of Colorado Shines. Revisions to and new family partnership quality standards were recommended to Qualistar Colorado as a result. The recommendations include (a) more frequent and detailed two-way communication between teachers and families, (b) active promotion of family engagement by programs, and (c) building stronger community partnerships to support school readiness.