by Teri N. Talan, Jill M. Bella, and Paula Jorde Bloom

Program Administration Scale, 3rd Edition (PAS-3)

Research consistently finds that high-quality administrative practices are crucial for ensuring program quality as well as beneficial results for children and families. This valuable tool includes 25 items clustered in 9 subscales, which measure whole leadership functions of center-based early care and education programs. The PAS-3 is applicable for multiple uses: program self-improvement, technical assistance, professional development, quality monitoring, research, evaluation, and public awareness.

Four women smiling in front of a presentation screen about early childhood centers.

PAS-3 RELIABILITY TRAINING

Is your goal to understand the Program Administration Scale, 3rd edition (PAS-3) at a deeper level or to use the PAS-3 in a valid and reliable way? If so, reliability training is for you.


PAS-3 Reliability Training provides an in-depth analysis of the items and quality indicators in the PAS-3. This training is designed for individuals who want to ensure that the PAS-3 assessments are valid, reliable, and administered consistently across programs. The training concludes with a reliability test, and participants who are 85% or more reliable with the national anchors are eligible to apply for PAS-3 Certification for an additional fee.


Click here to register for an upcoming Reliability Training


Have a group you need trained? Bring our reliability training to you! Please contact us at pas.bas@nl.edu to learn more.

Become a Certified PAS-3 Assessor

Certification Fee: $300

Participants who achieve an 85% reliability or higher during PAS-3 Reliability Training are eligible to pursue certification.

Woman in blue patterned shirt in a classroom, looking at papers, with other people in the background.

Why Get Certified?

Certification is the next step in your professional learning journey—it bridges classroom instruction with real-world assessment practice. Benefits of becoming a certified assessor include:


  • Individualized Feedback
    Receive personalized feedback from national anchors to help refine your skills and support ongoing professional growth.
  • Enhanced Credibility
    Demonstrate to clients that your skills and expertise go beyond basic training, setting you apart as a highly qualified professional.
  • National Recognition
    Be listed on the national PAS-3 Assessor Registry maintained by the McCormick Institute for Early Childhood.
  • Access to Training Resources
    Gain access to an exclusive PAS-3 overview PowerPoint presentation, complete with a presenter outline and participant handouts.
  • Computerized Report Access
    Unlock the ability to generate PAS-3 computerized reports for future assessments (additional fee applies).
Book cover: Program Administration Scale (3rd Edition)

How to Get Recertified

PAS-3 Assessor Certification is valid for five years and may be renewed through a recertification process. Recertification is also valid for a five-year period and can be renewed once. The recertification process is described here. If you have any questions, please contact pas.bas@nl.edu.

RESEARCH

Examining the Role of Employer Benefits and Turnover in Center-based Child Care

By Robyn Kelton, M.A. • June 27, 2025
Explore how employer-provided benefits impact staff turnover in center-based child care settings, and why supporting early educators matters for retention.

Leading Change: The Vision and Impact of the Whole Leadership Framework

By Marie L. Masterson and Teri N. Talan • May 9, 2024
Discover the vision and impact of the Whole Leadership Framework, guiding early childhood leaders in driving change and strengthening programs.

The PAS-3 and Whole Leadership

By Robyn Kelton • January 10, 2023
Discover how The PAS-3 supports Whole Leadership by strengthening administrative, pedagogical, and leadership capacities in early childhood programs for continuous quality improvement.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: When Values Become Actions

By Teri Talan • August 9, 2022
Explore how McCormick Center reflects on bias, embeds DEI into leadership tools, and takes action through inclusive learning, programming, and strategic decisions.

The Relationship between Global Classroom and Administrative Quality: A Cross-Cultural Comparison

By McCormick Center • February 22, 2022
Explore the connection between Global Classroom practices and administrative quality in early childhood education through a cross-cultural comparison that highlights leadership, equity, and program excellence worldwide.

Measuring Organizational Conditions for Improving Quality

By McCormick Center • May 21, 2019
Learn how assessing organizational conditions can drive continuous quality improvement in early childhood programs.

Aim4Excellence™ Demonstrates Increased Director Competence

By McCormick Staff • December 4, 2018
Discover how Aim4Excellence™ boosts early childhood program quality by enhancing director competence, leadership skills, and management practices for lasting impact.

PAS Certified Assessor List

The individuals listed below successfully completed Assessor Reliability training on the PAS. During the training, they achieved reliability, became Certified PAS Assessors, and maintained that certification.