Purpose
Clear pathways through higher education can support new and current early childhood educators interested in providing high-quality care for children. Early Educators Credit Pathways Support is funding for public Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) to create and define clear credit pathways in the Early Childhood field.
Background
The federal government awarded the state of Texas $16 million a year for the Preschool Development Grant Birth Through 5 (PDG B-5). The funds are from January 2023 through December 2025.
TWC is working with other state agencies to develop a workforce pipeline to:
- increase the number of teachers in early learning classrooms;
- reduce the educator turnover rates with ECCE programs;
- create clear pathways from a child care classroom, early childhood certificate, or college degree into an early childhood career; and
- provide reliable supports for individuals navigating those pathways.
This model builds a pipeline of qualified early childhood professionals through multiple pathways into child care and public schools. Early childhood educators also get opportunities to grow their education and careers into other early childhood fields. One piece of the PDG B-5 workforce pipeline is supporting credit for prior learning between educational programs.
TWC is offering funding to allow IHE faculty and staff time to develop credit pathways for early childhood-specific courses.
IHEs can apply for funding to support the following credit pathways models:
A. Credit transfer or articulation agreements towards a higher education degree
An agreement between a 2-Year IHE and 4-Year IHE. The 4-year IHE applies course credit or a degree earned at the 2-Year IHE towards a degree program.
B. Credit for work-based learning
A faculty-reviewed non-credit to credit policy at a 2-Year or 4-Year IHE. The IHE awards course credit towards an associate or bachelor’s degree based on years of approved work experience completed by the student.
C. Credit for competency
A faculty-reviewed non-credit to credit policy at a 2-Year or 4-Year IHE. The IHE awards course credit towards an associate or bachelor’s degree based on proven competencies through examination, portfolios, etc.
D. Credit for a CDA® credential
A faculty-reviewed non-credit to credit policy at a 2-year or 4-year IHE. The IHE awards course credit towards an associate or bachelor’s degree for an earned, current CDA regardless of which entity managed the education part completed for the credential.
E. Dual-credit course development with an LEA
An agreement between a 2-year or 4-year IHE and LEA. The agreement allows a course taken by high school students to count as course credit towards both their high school and IHE credential/degree.
- Complete the Early Educator Credit Pathways Support application form.
- Submit the application form to CCcreditpathways@twc.texas.gov.
TWC will accept applications until May 31, 2025.
• SOW/Application
• FAQ
• Special Federal Award Terms and Conditions Updated 2/13/25
• General Terms and Conditions Updated 2/13/25
• Financial Requirements
• General Terms and Conditions Exceptions Form
All published documents are subject to change based on necessary updates determined at TWC’s sole discretion at any time, including until award formation before contract execution.
Questions? Contact CCcreditpathways@twc.texas.gov.