The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) reviews the Texas Rising Star program every four years. TWC conducted the most recent review in 2019-2020.
To help inform the review, TWC established the Texas Rising Star workgroup. The workgroup:
- considered stakeholder input, and
- developed recommendations for TWC to consider for changes to the certification guidelines.
On January 5, 2021, the Commission approved amendments to TWC’s Child Care Services Rules based on the workgroup’s recommendations. These rules became effective January 25, 2021.
| Date | Timeline |
|---|---|
| May 2019 | Workgroup established |
| June 2019 | Regional Focus Group meetings – Heart of Texas, West Central, Tarrant County, Lower Rio, Coastal Bend, Gulf Coast, Rural Capital, Texoma |
| July 23, 2019 10:00am – 2:00pm | TRS Workgroup Meeting, 10am – 4:00pm, 101 East 15th Street, Austin This will be a posted meeting, open to the public. |
| August – October 2019 | Bi-Weekly Workgroup Conference Calls |
| October 29, 2019 10:30am – 2:30pm | TRS Workgroup Meeting, 10:30am – 4:30pm, 101 East 15th Street, Austin This will be a posted meeting, open to the public. |
| November – January 2020 | Bi-Weekly Workgroup Conference Calls |
| December 17, 2019 10:00am – 2:00pm | TRS Workgroup Meeting, 10am – 4:00pm, 101 East 15th Street, Austin This will be a posted meeting, open to the public. |
| January 2020 | TWC Approval of Draft TRS Guidelines |
| February 2020 | Regional public meetings to receive input on draft TRS Guidelines |
| July 7, 2020 | Commission to consider administrative rule changes and revision to Guidelines |
| August - December 2020 | TWC rulemaking process to implement revisions |
| January 5, 2021 | Rule changes and Guideline revisions effective |
| January - Spring 2021 | Deferment of Texas Rising Star visits |
| Early Summer 2021 | Implementation of revisions begins (current TRS providers will implement at upcoming visit or via prioritization plan) This date is TBD. For more information, please see WD Letter 06-21. |
| Name | Organization/Business |
|---|---|
| Reagan Miller | Texas Workforce Commission |
| Julie Richards | Texas Health and Human Services Commission |
| Jacquie Porter | Texas Education Agency |
| April Crawford | UT Health Science Center, Children’s Learning Institute |
| Mandi Kimball | Children at Risk |
| Kim Kofron | Texas Association for the Education of Young Children |
| Belinda Rojas | Together4Children |
| Michael Gonzalez | Kids R Kids |
| Bea Vargas | El Papalote Inclusive Child Development Center |
| Murriel Webb | Braswell Child Development Center |
| Jill Goodrich | Opportunity School |
| Erica Mata | Bess Knapp Child Development and Child Care |
| Sheila Matthews | Open Door East School |
| Rahima Bahalim | Super Kids Academy |
| Carolyn Griffin | Grace Place Child Development Center |
| Anthony Billings | Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas |
| Mary Ross | Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas |
| Judy McDonald | Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County |
Feedback Data Summary
This Data Summary includes the data collected from the eight regional focus groups, TRS staff phone calls, and the emails received via the TRS4yearReview@twc.texas.gov mailbox regarding the considerations provided for the review, as well as the workgroup’s input. The Data Summary is a working document and will be updated as necessary following each workgroup meeting.
Workgroup Meetings & Materials
Texas Government Code §2001.039 and 40 Texas Administrative Code §809.130 requires TWC to review and update the Texas Rising Star guidelines at a minimum every four years.
The review must consider input from stakeholders from a public hearing. In February 2020, TWC invited the public to learn about the workgroup’s recommendations and to provide comment during the following public meetings.
| Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| February 4, 2020 | Austin Workforce Solutions Capital Area | Austin |
| February 12, 2020 | Houston Houston Galveston Area Council of Governments(HGAC) | Houston |
| February 13, 2020 | McAllen Workforce Solutions Corporate Office | McAllen |
| February 19, 2020 | Arlington North Central Texas Council of Governments | Arlington |
| February 20, 2020 | Waco McLennan County Workforce Solutions Center | Waco |
| February 25, 2020 | Lubbock Workforce Solutions South Plains | Lubbock |
| February 26, 2020 | El Paso YWCA | El Paso |
Meeting Materials and Revised Draft Documents
- Texas Rising Star 4-year Review Recommendations Overview
- Data Summary: Detailed Workgroup Revision Summary
- Facility Assessment Record Form
- Classroom Assessment Record Form
- Continuous Quality Improvement Plan Form
- Screening Form for Current Texas Rising Star Programs
- Screening Form for Initial Applicants
- Revised Texas Rising Star Guidelines
- Pre-Star Checklist
- Revisions Overview for Non-Certified Programs Power Point