About
Quality Standards recognize the components that make up ideal out-of-school time programs. They provide common language and a shared understanding of what quality programs look like in action. While there are national models of afterschool program quality, the VPOST Quality Standards are made for Virginia by Virginia. They were crafted to be approachable for those new to the field, but comprehensive enough for the most seasoned leader.
We invite your organization to adopt the Quality Standards. Your support will not only benefit your organization’s quality supports, but also encourage wider adoption in the field. We are stronger when we are united in our shared understanding of what it means when we say afterschool works.
Our Approach
The Second Edition was published in 2024 and reflects the changes in out-of-school time since the release of the First Edition in 2017. We’ve added new categories including Child & Youth Voice and Partnerships & Networking.
We’ve structured the Second Edition to be easy to read and user friendly.
The Quality Standards can be used by out-of-school time program staff to assess areas of success and challenges, by caregivers to recognize quality programing for their kids and policy makers to inform guidelines and investments. VPOST uses the Quality Standards as a framework for our professional development. Any questions on the Quality Standards can be directed to Christine Jones Monaccio.
