Through a contract with the Delaware Department of Education, DIEEC informs and implements a rigorous continuous quality improvement system to support early care and education programs and professionals in achieving and maintaining Delaware’s identified quality indicators. The Quality Improvement System (QIS) offers tiered technical assistance and professional learning opportunities for all Delaware early care and education programs and professionals.

A pillar of DIEEC’s work is translating high-level, research and evidence-based quality frameworks into practical, classroom-level growth. For example, through targeted technical assistance, Quality Improvement Specialists utilize Motivational Interviewing to help local child care centers conduct annual needs assessments and craft tailored Quality Improvement Plans with specific, measurable goals. DIEEC also designs and delivers specialized professional development opportunities. These range from community-based learning experiences to intensive, cohort-based initiatives like the Professional Preparation: Early Childhood Education (PP-ECE) curriculum, Early Language and Literacy, and Pyramid Model training. By grounding its work and supports in robust data and system evaluation, DIEEC actively shapes a more equitable, high-quality early childhood landscape throughout Delaware.

Key staff:
Kristy Sheffler, DIEEC Deputy Director and Senior Data Scientist (Principal Investigator)
Jason Hustedt, DIEEC Research Director and Department Chair, Human Development and Family Studies