Ready by 21 Quality Initiative

The Ready by 21 Coalition and the Central Texas Afterschool Network (CTAN) are pleased to announce an exciting initiative to improve the quality of youth programs.

Research has demonstrated that:

1. High-quality programs can influence key developmental outcomes for children and youth.
2. Accurate, accessible data about program quality can influence staff practice and drive planning and decision-making at the system level.

The Youth Program Quality Assessment (YPQA) is a nationally validated instrument for program quality based on four key areas that have been proven to impact positive youth development:  safe environments, supportive environments, interaction and engagement. The assessment is part of an overall initiative to improve quality at the point of service - where youth, adults, and resources come together.  The initiative also includes professional development for front line staff specifically designed to improve program quality.

YPQA is used to assess programs based on the concepts in the pyramid below.

Request an External Assessment

The YPQA is a nationally validated instrument for programs that:

• are ongoing (tutoring, art club, theatre group, recreation program) rather than a one-time session or event serve youth
• whose ages correspond to grades 4 - 12th
• have at least 4 youth that participate regularly

Assessments cover about 45-60 minutes of a program offering.  Please only request assessments for programs meeting the above criteria.

See the Youth Program Quality Assessment tools and examples of scores reports 

Complete the linked form to request an assessment of your program offerings. (Executive Directors must approve requests of their organization's programs.)

See the list of professional development offerings.