{"product_id":"school-age-care-environment-rating-scale-sacers-3_9780807785683","title":"School-Age Care Environment Rating Scale (SACERS-3)","description":"\u003cp\u003eHow can educators and program leaders ensure high-quality care for school-age children outside of school hours?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe School-Age Care Environment Rating Scale®\u003c\/i\u003e, Third Edition (SACERS-3) provides the definitive, research-backed answer. As part of the gold-standard Environment Rating Scale® (ERS) family, this comprehensive assessment tool offers an evidence-based framework for evaluating and improving programs serving children ages 5 to 12. Rather than relying on simple health and safety compliance, \u003ci\u003eSACERS-3\u003c\/i\u003e measures \"process quality\"—the direct, daily interactions and enrichment experiences that drive children's social-emotional growth, academic confidence, and well-being during out-of-school time.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGrounded in six distinct research data sources, including longitudinal studies and expert feedback from the Environment Rating Scale Institute (ERSI), this total revision features a streamlined, observation-only format that eliminates staff interviews. Program directors, evaluators, and afterschool staff can easily assess environments across three psychometrically validated subscales: Program Foundations, Enriching Activities, and Healthy Climate and Relationships. Incorporating modern best practices like staff intentionality in STEM, literacy support, and updated safety protocols, \u003ci\u003eSACERS-3\u003c\/i\u003e equips programs to move beyond custodial care and achieve \"Excellent\" ratings.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKey insights include:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eObservation-only evaluation format: A streamlined scoring process that reflects the actual, lived daily experiences of children without requiring staff interviews.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThree psychometrically sound subscales: Targeted assessment frameworks covering Program Foundations, Enriching Activities, and Healthy Climate and Relationships.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eModern enrichment \u0026amp; academic integration: Updated criteria for evaluating staff intentionality in STEM, literacy development, and creative play during out-of-school hours.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eActionable quality improvement plans: Concrete observation rubrics that help leaders identify specific program strengths and prioritize targeted professional development.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStandardized scoring for policy \u0026amp; funding: Reliable, research-validated data to support Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS), state accreditation, and grant reporting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eSACERS-3 demonstrates that when out-of-school programs combine intentional enrichment with warm, supportive environments, out-of-school time becomes a powerful catalyst for healthy child development.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ellen Vineberg Jacobs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46627084009574,"sku":"9780807785683","price":30.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0650\/4051\/5174\/files\/9780807785683.jpg?v=1787337008","url":"https:\/\/www.tcpress.com\/products\/school-age-care-environment-rating-scale-sacers-3_9780807785683","provider":"Teachers College Press","version":"1.0","type":"link"}