FOUR STAGES OF SELF-ASSESSMENT
Stage 1: Preparing Your Self-Assessment
The Self-Assessment leadership team consists of a team of managers who work together to design the Self-Assessment process. The team is led by the Head Start director and may include program managers, representatives from the governing board and policy groups, and community partners
Helpful Tools: Team Assignment Worksheet Team Leader Worksheet Team Participant Worksheet Self-Assessment Training Worksheet Focusing the Assessment Worksheet Self-Assessment Timeline Worksheet
Stage 2: Collecting and Synthesizing the Information
Team leaders recruit staff, parents, and community volunteers to serve on their individual assessment teams. Each team is responsible for collecting the information for their assigned Self-Assessment booklets. This information is consolidated and synthesized into Booklet Analyses.
Helpful Tools: 18 Self-Assessment Booklets, which include sample observation tools, charts, checklists, and interview questions
Team	Team	Team	Team
Stage 3: Interpreting the Information
The Self-Assessment leadership team reconvenes to review the summary reports prepared during Stage 2. These summaries are reviewed to: identify contained areas of weaknesses, patterns of identified needs and systemic issues; reveal underlying causes; and determine priorities for change and improvement.
Helpful Tools: Program Strengths Worksheet PRISM Framework Priorities Worksheet
Stage 4: Strengthening Your Program
In this final stage, members of the Self-Assessment leadership team design and oversee plans for program improvement and establish a time frame for monitoring and assessing progress.
Helpful Tools: Identifying Resources Worksheet Program Improvement Plan Evaluating Your Self-Assessment System Regional Office Summary Report