The After-School Program Collaboration Quality Index (CQI): Results of a Validation Study

Abstract

There has been a surge in the demand for the establishment of high-quality after-school programs (ASP) predicated on professional collaboration between in-school and after-school educators (OECD, 2014). In this validation study, we outline the psychometric properties of the Collaboration Quality Index (CQI) comprised of four predominant scales, using data collected from 44 Swiss ASPs and 266 ASP staff members. Internal and external validity findings, as well as bivariate correlations, indicated that the CQI is able to measure specific aspects of professional collaboration that are not accounted for with traditional and stand-alone measurement scales. ASP policy-makers and practitioners are encouraged to utilize the CQI to assess ASPs and use the results to make evidencedbased decisions for improvement.