What does it take to create environments where young people truly thrive? While passion and intention lay the foundation, they alone aren’t enough. Measuring quality provides the insights programs need to ensure meaningful, lasting impact.

In youth development, measuring quality is essential to ensure programs meet the needs of young people and deliver meaningful, lasting experiences. While intentions and passion are critical, they alone don’t guarantee impact. Measuring quality allows programs to understand their strengths, address gaps, and provide the best possible environments for young people to grow and thrive.

This reflection is part of our ongoing Commit to Quality campaign, which shines light on the inspiring ways program quality is being elevated across the youth development field. As Tiffany Walker, Senior Research & Evaluation Specialist at the Forum’s Weikart Center, explains, “Measuring quality in the settings where youth and adults converge help guide conversations and facilitate decision-making among stakeholders about the nature and condition of spaces where the overarching goal is to promote the positive growth of young people.”

Defining and measuring quality sets clear standards for adult practices when engaging with young people and ensures those standards are grounded in evidence-based practices. It’s not about arbitrary metrics; it’s about fostering environments where adults and youth interact in meaningful, supportive ways that help young people develop critical skills and a sense of belonging. Quality measurement also creates a shared language among program staff and stakeholders, enabling alignment on goals and strategies.

How Programs Can Measure and Improve Quality

Measuring quality requires more than a one-time assessment; it demands a strategic, ongoing commitment to collecting and using data effectively. The Weikart Center’s research validated Youth Program Quality Improvement (YPQI) approach offers a comprehensive framework, featuring tools like the Program Quality Assessment (PQA) to meet a program’s unique goals.

The PQA breaks program quality into measurable components, such as supportive interactions and meaningful engagement, helping programs identify strengths and address areas for growth. The Weikart Center’s research and evaluation team can support the assessment of additional quality elements through surveys, observational assessments of youth, or a customized evaluation design that aligns with each program’s mission and focus.

“Continuous quality improvement helps programs adapt and grow, and the Youth Program Quality Improvement (YPQI) approach is a low stakes high-value resource that enables them to create even more meaningful experiences for young people over time,” says Walker. This iterative framework fosters regular reflection and action, building a culture of learning and responsiveness.

Networks like the Nashville After Zone Alliance (NAZA) demonstrate the power of these approaches.  NAZA is a partnership of the Nashville Public Library, Metro Nashville Public Schools, the Mayor’s Office, and 40+ youth organizations committed to promoting equitable access to free, high-quality afterschool programs for 5th-8th graders.  The network supports their youth organizations through professional development, evaluation, and technical assistance. 

“The YPQI has been instrumental in ensuring quality programming and driving continuous improvement across the programs serving over 2,500 youth in our city during the school year and summer,” says Ezra Howard, PhD, Evaluation and Data Manager for NAZA.  “We make use of the Youth PQA and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) PQA rubrics for self and external assessment as well as Leading Indicator Surveys. The Forum has been a partner in tailoring the surveys to help assess our unique programming with our youth service initiative Youth In Action as well as the youth skills we focus on with Nashville’s Vision for Holistic Youth Development,” Howard notes.

With over a decade of experience using the Weikart Center’s tools and resources, NAZA programs consistently demonstrate high quality based on program quality assessment scores in comparison to national averages and survey data analyzed related to the implementation of management and instructional practices, which indicate overall fidelity to our continuous quality improvement process. This translates to programs with a strengthened capacity to enhance staff and youth interactions and improve their overall program environment.

What Data Matters Most?

To measure quality effectively, programs need a multi-dimensional view of their impact. The most helpful data often combines quantitative metrics and qualitative insights to create a holistic picture of program success.

Staff and youth interaction metrics observed through structured assessments like the PQA reveal the quality of program climate and can provide longitudinal data on the point-of-service settings where continuous improvement efforts take place.  Additional data resources that support understanding of elements connected to program quality include surveys that measure youth and family program experiences since these instruments offer direct feedback from participants about how well a program meets their needs.

Walker underscores the value of collecting data across multiple dimensions. “By analyzing data from various perspectives, programs gain insights that guide their work and create lasting impact for youth,” she explains. Programs that intentionally gather and use this data are able to continually refine their practices. NAZA’s use of quality metrics, for instance, has allowed them to adapt and strengthen their offerings, ensuring that youth remain at the center of their mission.

Reflections on Measuring Quality and Its Impact

Measuring quality is more than a procedural step—it’s a commitment to creating environments where young people thrive. It provides insights, accountability, and a foundation of trust and engagement.

When programs commit to defining, evaluating, and improving quality, they position themselves for lasting success. As Walker puts it, “A commitment to quality is a commitment to every young person’s growth and success, creating spaces where they can feel seen, supported, and ready to positively contribute to the world.”

Through thoughtful quality measurement, programs can meet the evolving needs of youth, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond program walls. This is the essence of our Commit to Quality campaign: supporting youth-serving programs in harnessing the power of quality to make every moment with young people count.