A federal Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge (RTTT-ELC) grant award has significantly supported the statewide implementation of Massachusetts' QRIS. As part of the RTTT-ELC award, grantees are required to conduct a validation study of the state's QRIS. The Wellesley Centers for Women of Wellesley College and the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute collaborated with MA EEC to conduct a validation study to evaluate the extent to which key components of the MA QRIS quality levels differentiate program quality; assess whether MA QRIS Levels are associated with differences in the developmental outcomes of children; and determine whether and how the system can be improved. (author abstract)