Program Quality
The Kent Learning Together program utilizes the David P. Weikart Center’s Social and Emotional Learning Program Quality Assessment (SEL PQA) process to support program quality and improvement (known as Youth Program Quality Improvement, or YPQI). This includes internal and external assessments, which Site Coordinators use to inform program quality improvement goals. The program’s measurable objective for program quality and the SEL PQA was as follows:
- Measurable improvement in relevant sections of the PQA each year, at each site; or an average rating over 4.0.
Site Coordinators and site staff conducted self-observations, and the evaluator conducted external observations in November-December 2024. These observations provided a basis for sites’ improvement goals. East Hill set program improvement goals focused on creating a safe and healthy afterschool program, Emotion Coaching (in the Supportive Environment domain) and Supporting Plans and Goals (in the Engaging Environment domain). Springbrook’s goals related to Creating Safe Spaces (in the Safe Space domain), Supporting Youth Interests (in the Engaging Environment domain), Emotion Coaching (in the Supportive Environment domain), and engaging with families and the community.
The results below reflect average scores from external assessments. The program met the objective of an average rating of 4.0 or greater in Safe Space, and not in Supportive Environment, Interactive Environment, and Engaging Environment. Average scores in Safe Space and Engaging Environment increased from 2023-24 and decreased in Supportive Environment and Interactive Environment. See Table 2.
Table 2: SEL PQA External Assessment Results by Year
| Domain | 2023-24 | 2024-25 |
|---|---|---|
| Safe Space | 4.0 | 4.2 |
| Supportive Environment | 4.2 | 3.2 |
| Interactive Environment | 3.5 | 2.5 |
| Engaging Environment | 2.4 | 2.5 |