Continuous Quality Improvement Process

At the Opp, high-quality programming is our North Star.

Through our North Star Initiative, we engage youth-serving organizations in the continuous quality improvement cycle through rigorous assessments and program observations, with a focus on safety, efficacy, and youth development.

The CQI Process

Our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) process is a four-pronged framework for youth-serving organizations to partner with The Opp to assess and improve program quality. Partners may opt into any of the four parts of the program and are encouraged to complete this framework annually to strengthen quality improvement.

  • Surveys and Assessments: The Opp offers customizable student surveys, and our team is certified in program quality assessment. Using these tools, we provide partners with customized external assessments of their programs. See below for a comprehensive list of tools offered.

  • Reports Generated: TIDEL is the real-time data system that helps us track youth engagement, measure program impact, and inform continuous improvement. We use data collected through TIDEL, along with surveys and assessments, to produce CQI reports for internal program improvement, grant reporting, and marketing. Learn more.

  • Coaching: Our team comprises expanded learning experts, former educators, and lifelong learners committed to supporting the CQI process. Partners can meet with our team to co-create and customize a CQI plan for their organization.

  • Professional Development & Staff Training: After completing surveys and assessments, analyzing the data, and connecting with The Opp’s team, partners can schedule personalized professional development to address any needs identified throughout the CQI process. The Opp offers professional development in Youth Work Methods, Mental Health First Aid, and more.

Evaluation Tools for Surveys and Assessments:

  • Youth Program Quality Assessment (YPQA)
    A validated instrument that is designed to measure the quality of youth programs and identify staff training needs. 

  • Social & Emotional Learning Program Quality Assessment (SEL PQA)
    An efficient and reliable observational tool for assessing practices that support social and emotional learning. The SEL PQA builds on the research-validated Youth Program Quality Assessment.

  • Survey of Academic and Youth Outcomes-Youth Survey (SAYO-Y)
    Use SAYO-Y to survey youth participants and measure their program experiences, future expectations, and sense of competence. SAYO-Y is designed for programs serving grades 4-12.