1. a) Based on the results of monitoring conducted pursuant to Section 235.67, grantees shall achieve an ExceleRate Illinois designation based on evidence of meeting the standards for that designation (see http://www.excelerateillinoisproviders.com/

   resources/standard-and-evidence-requirements for further information).

2. b) The physical location of the preschool education program shall inform the designation to be assigned under subsection (a).

   1. 1) If the grantee is a school district and administers the preschool education program in multiple attendance centers:

      1. A) the individual attendance center in which a program is located shall achieve a designation separate from the school district in situations in which the attendance center has three or more preschool classrooms; or
      2. B) the individual attendance center in which a program is located shall achieve the designation of the school district in situations in which the attendance center has fewer than three classrooms.
   2. 2) If the grantee is a community-based child care center, the designation achieved by the community-based child care center will be assigned to the preschool classrooms housed at that facility. The requirements of this subsection (b)(2) shall apply to any school district that operates a preschool education program in a community-based child care center.
   3. 3) If the grantee is a public or private not-for-profit or for-profit entity other than a school district or a community-based child care center, the designation achieved by the public or private not-for-profit or for-profit entity shall be assigned to the preschool classrooms administered by the grantee regardless of the number of preschool classrooms.
3. c) The designation achieved by a program shall not be changed unless the results of ongoing monitoring authorized under Section 235.67 indicate that the program has either:

4. 1) met the standards for receipt of a higher designation; or

   1. 2) failed to maintain a level of quality necessary to retain the designation currently achieved.
   2. d) A program that fails to achieve a "Gold Circle of Quality" or "Silver Circle of Quality" designation shall be subject to actions detailed in Section 235.67.

Beginning in the 2014-15 school year, each grantee that operates a preschool education program funded under this Part shall participate in ExceleRate Illinois (see http://www.excelerateillinois.

com and click on "Information for Providers"). ExceleRate Illinois is the State's quality rating and improvement system that emphasizes continuous quality improvement for early learning and development programs and uses a consistent set of standards organized into four domains of teaching and learning; family and community engagement; leadership and management; and qualifications and continuing education.

(Source: Added at 39 Ill. Reg. 6674, effective April 27, 2015)