Evaluating The Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS)

This report presents the results of simultaneous assessments using both the 1980 version of the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS) and the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale–Revised (ECERS–R) in a sample of 68 classrooms. Results suggest that the original ECERS and ECERS–R can be viewed as comparable measures of quality. Scores were highly correlated and similarly distributed. Principal components analysis resulted in two factors for both measures. Both measures fell short in addressing staff stability and key components of culturally sensitive practice, such as communicating with families in their home language. Assessments of cultural sensitivity will need to supplement ECERS ratings with other measures.