Common use of EVALUATOR QUALIFICATIONS Clause in Contracts

EVALUATOR QUALIFICATIONS. The national accrediting entity must have minimum assessor/evaluator qualifications that align with the following Texas Rising Star requirements for assessors in TWC Chapter 809 Child Care Services rule §809.134(ac). Specifically, the assessor/evaluator qualifications must include one of the following: A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, special education, child psychology, educational psychology, elementary education, or family consumer science A bachelor’s degree with at least 18 credit hours in early childhood education, child development, special education, child psychology, educational psychology, elementary education, or family consumer science with at least 12 credit hours in child development An associate’s degree in early childhood education, child development, special education, child psychology, educational psychology, elementary education, or family consumer science with two years of experience as a director in an early childhood program Includes All Age Groups Texas Rising Star certification includes measures for all age groups served by the Texas Rising Star–certified facility. To be eligible for TWC recognition, the national accrediting entity’s measures and certification must include all age groups served by the facility. Application Requirements and Procedures Accreditation entities must complete a profile, which describes their compliance with the eligibility criteria listed above, specifically: the number of states with accredited facilities; the total number of accredited facilities; how long the current accreditation standards have been in place; the accrediting entity’s website with a link to the measures, scoring, and program search information; and minimum assessor/evaluator qualifications. The profile must also include: content areas included in the accreditation standards; total number of criteria; total number and listing of the required measures; percentage and number of measures that must be met in order to be certified; length of the accreditation period; and the monitoring process. Submission of the Texas Rising Star Crosswalk National accreditation entities must complete and submit a crosswalk document provided by TWC to compare the accrediting entity’s standards to Texas Rising Star standards. Assessment of the Texas Rising Star Crosswalk In the crosswalk, new accreditation entities must demonstrate that all Texas Rising Star Two-Star (required) measures are also required by the accrediting entity. If the Texas Rising Star Two-Star required measures are not required by the accrediting entity, the entity must develop a separate assurance process to document that its accredited facilities in Texas will meet the Texas Rising Star–required measures as part of the entity’s accreditation process for Texas. Scoring of the Texas Rising Star Crosswalk TWC staff will review and evaluate the submitted crosswalk. If the entity meets the minimum thresholds listed below, a Two-Star, Three-Star, or Four-Star level will be assigned to the accreditation entity may be recognized within the Texas Rising Star program and eligible for a modified assessment: Texas Rising Star Certification LevelCategory Accreditation Score Thresholds Two-Star CertificationCategory 1 Accreditation requires all Texas Rising Star Two-Star (required) measures (or entity has submitted a separate assurance process for the Texas child care and early learning programs); plus 80 percent of the Texas Rising Star points-based measures per facility type are included in the accreditation measures. Three-Star CertificationCategory 3 Accreditation requires all Texas Rising Star Two -Star (required) measures (or entity has submitted a separate assurance process for Texas child care and early learning programs); plus, 80 percent of Texas Rising Star points-based measures per age group are included in the accreditation measures. Four-Star Certification Accreditation requires all Texas Rising Star Two -Star (required) measures; plus, 90 percent of Texas Rising Star points-based measures per age group are included in the accreditation measures. Quick Reference List of Changes Revisions Approved July 2024 | Revisions Effective September 2024 Historical Perspective: Revised to streamline events and changes within last bullet regarding recent rule changes related to the recent Texas Rising Star Four-Year Review System for Progressive Quality Improvement: updated link to 2024 Board maximum reimbursement rates Entry Level Designation: Revised guidance regarding the points threshold, time period for CCR history review updated link for WD Letter 23-22, Change 2 Added guidance regarding requirement to complete an Interest Form, no exceptions or waivers for programs failing to meet points threshold, monthly review of compliance during the final 6-months of Entry Level designation CCS intake opened once in compliance returning to CCS with remaining designation timeframe Signed Agreements: Clarified guidance on having agreements with the program’s local Board and added guidance related to opting out of mentoring services Texas Rising Star Roles: Updated guidance on procurement of the centralized assessment entity. Eligibility for Texas Rising Star: Revised to review six months of CCR history Star-Level Drop: Revised to review six months of CCR history and added new points threshold requirement for initial certification eligibility Probation Deficiencies: Revised to review six months of CCR history and changes to specific CCR deficiencies that have impact (supervision, ratios, and director responsibilities) Ongoing Screening Process: Revised to denote daily automated screening clarified guidance on screening prior to assessment Added guidance on impacts captured in CLI Engage automatically transferring to TX3C (once live) Certification Process: Revised and clarified the steps to certification Added required documents for submission DoD Programs: Added three accrediting agencies specific to Montessori and clarified Early Head Start/Head Start Considerations for Programs with Specific Philosophies: Clarified curriculum review guidance Logo and Outreach Materials: Added guidance on upcoming digital toolkits for certified programs Types of Program Assessments: Clarified guidance on not meeting structural measures for assessments received after the initial which documents to submit for recertification Added guidance Requesting assessments via the online request form Which type of programs might request each type of assessment Revised guidance facility changes that result in an initial permit CAE conducting reconsiderations Texas Workforce Registry: Added guidance related to the Board’s designated TECPDS subject matter experts CLASS® Option for Category 2: Revised guidance on submission of CLASS® observation scores and updated WD Letter, Change 1 link Continuous Quality Improvement: Added guidance for suspension status Service Improvement Agreement: Added guidance regarding not requesting this assessment and yielding a change in star level Texas Rising Star Probation: Clarified guidance on Probation A and B Revised guidance for Probation B to have points threshold requirement Losing a Star Level and Texas Rising Star Suspension Status: Clarified guidance on returning to a star level eligibility for assessment on suspension Added guidance for Boards to document closed intake in TX3C steps for a program to return to CCS after termination Table 4.1 and 4.2: Impact of Deficiencies: Revised impacts and duration as applicable to match changes to rule and clarifications provided Facility Change Rubric: Revised to provide guidance as applicable to match the change related to initial permit issued

EVALUATOR QUALIFICATIONS. The national accrediting entity must have minimum assessor/evaluator qualifications that align with the following Texas Rising Star requirements for assessors in TWC Chapter 809 Child Care Services rule §809.134(ac). Specifically, the assessor/evaluator qualifications must include one of the following: • A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, special education, child psychology, educational psychology, elementary education, or family consumer science • A bachelor’s degree with at least 18 credit hours in early childhood education, child development, special education, child psychology, educational psychology, elementary education, or family consumer science with at least 12 credit hours in child development • An associate’s degree in early childhood education, child development, special education, child psychology, educational psychology, elementary education, or family consumer science with two years of experience as a director in an early childhood program Includes All Age Groups Texas Rising Star certification includes measures for all age groups served by the Texas Rising Star–certified facility. To be eligible for TWC recognition, the national accrediting entity’s measures and certification must include all age groups served by the facility. Application Requirements and Procedures Accreditation entities must complete a profile, which describes their compliance with the eligibility criteria listed above, specifically: • the number of states with accredited facilities; • the total number of accredited facilities; • how long the current accreditation standards have been in place; • the accrediting entity’s website with a link to the measures, scoring, and program search information; and • minimum assessor/evaluator qualifications. The profile must also include: • content areas included in the accreditation standards; • total number of criteria; • total number and listing of the required measures; • percentage and number of measures that must be met in order to be certified; • length of the accreditation period; and • the monitoring process. Submission of the Texas Rising Star Crosswalk National accreditation entities must complete and submit a crosswalk document provided by TWC to compare the accrediting entity’s standards to Texas Rising Star standards. Assessment of the Texas Rising Star Crosswalk In the crosswalk, new accreditation entities must demonstrate that all Texas Rising Star Two-Star (required) measures are also required by the accrediting entity. If the Texas Rising Star Two-Star required measures are not required by the accrediting entity, the entity must develop a separate assurance process to document that its accredited facilities in Texas will meet the Texas Rising Star–required measures as part of the entity’s accreditation process for Texas. Scoring of the Texas Rising Star Crosswalk TWC staff will review and evaluate the submitted crosswalk. If the entity meets the minimum thresholds listed below, a Two-Star, Three-Star, or Four-Star level will be assigned to the accreditation entity may be recognized within the Texas Rising Star program and eligible for a modified assessment: Texas Rising Star Certification LevelCategory Accreditation Score Thresholds Two-Star CertificationCategory CertificationCategor y 1 Accreditation requires all Texas Rising Star Two-Star (required) measures (or entity has submitted a separate assurance process for the Texas child care and early learning programs); plus 80 percent of the Texas Rising Star points-based measures per facility type are included in the accreditation measures. Three-Star CertificationCategory CertificationCategor y 3 Accreditation requires all Texas Rising Star Two -Star (required) measures (or entity has submitted a separate assurance process for Texas child care and early learning programs); plus, 80 percent of Texas Rising Star points-based measures per age group are included in the accreditation measures. Four-Star Certification Accreditation requires all Texas Rising Star Two -Star (required) measures; plus, 90 percent of Texas Rising Star points-based measures per age group are included in the accreditation measures. Quick Reference List of Changes Revisions Approved July 2024 | Revisions Effective September 2024 Historical Perspective: Revised to streamline events and changes within last bullet regarding recent rule changes related to the recent Texas Rising Star Four-Year Review System for Progressive Quality Improvement: updated link to 2024 Board maximum reimbursement rates Entry Level Designation: Revised guidance regarding the points threshold, time period for CCR history review updated link for WD Letter 23-22, Change 2 Added guidance regarding requirement to complete an Interest Form, no exceptions or waivers for programs failing to meet points threshold, monthly review of compliance during the final 6-months of Entry Level designation CCS intake opened once in compliance returning to CCS with remaining designation timeframe Signed Agreements: Clarified guidance on having agreements with the program’s local Board and added guidance related to opting out of mentoring services Texas Rising Star Roles: Updated guidance on procurement of the centralized assessment entity. Eligibility for Texas Rising Star: Revised to review six months of CCR history Star-Level Drop: Revised to review six months of CCR history and added new points threshold requirement for initial certification eligibility Probation Deficiencies: Revised to review six months of CCR history and changes to specific CCR deficiencies that have impact (supervision, ratios, and director responsibilities) Ongoing Screening Process: Revised to denote daily automated screening clarified guidance on screening prior to assessment Added guidance on impacts captured in CLI Engage automatically transferring to TX3C (once live) Certification Process: Revised and clarified the steps to certification Added required documents for submission DoD Programs: Added three accrediting agencies specific to Montessori and clarified Early Head Start/Head Start Considerations for Programs with Specific Philosophies: Clarified curriculum review guidance Logo and Outreach Materials: Added guidance on upcoming digital toolkits for certified programs Types of Program Assessments: Clarified guidance on not meeting structural measures for assessments received after the initial which documents to submit for recertification Added guidance Requesting assessments via the online request form Which type of programs might request each type of assessment Revised guidance facility changes that result in an initial permit CAE conducting reconsiderations Texas Workforce Registry: Added guidance related to the Board’s designated TECPDS subject matter experts CLASS® Option for Category 2: Revised guidance on submission of CLASS® observation scores and updated WD Letter, Change 1 link Continuous Quality Improvement: Added guidance for suspension status Service Improvement Agreement: Added guidance regarding not requesting this assessment and yielding a change in star level Texas Rising Star Probation: Clarified guidance on Probation A and B Revised guidance for Probation B to have points threshold requirement Losing a Star Level and Texas Rising Star Suspension Status: Clarified guidance on returning to a star level eligibility for assessment on suspension Added guidance for Boards to document closed intake in TX3C steps for a program to return to CCS after termination Table 4.1 and 4.2: Impact of Deficiencies: Revised impacts and duration as applicable to match changes to rule and clarifications provided Facility Change Rubric: Revised to provide guidance as applicable to match the change related to initial permit issued2024

EVALUATOR QUALIFICATIONS. The national accrediting entity must have minimum assessor/evaluator qualifications that align with the following Texas Rising Star requirements for assessors in TWC Chapter 809 Child Care Services rule §809.134(ac809.134(a). Specifically, the assessor/evaluator qualifications must include one of the following: • A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, special education, child psychology, educational psychology, elementary education, or family consumer science • A bachelor’s degree with at least 18 credit hours in early childhood education, child development, special education, child psychology, educational psychology, elementary education, or family consumer science with at least 12 credit hours in child development • An associate’s degree in early childhood education, child development, special education, child psychology, educational psychology, elementary education, or family consumer science with two years of experience as a director in an early childhood program Includes All Age Groups Texas Rising Star certification includes measures for all age groups served by the Texas Rising Star–certified facility. To be eligible for TWC recognition, the national accrediting entity’s measures and certification must include all age groups served by the facility. Accreditation Recognition Application Process (cont.)‌ Application Requirements and Procedures Accreditation entities must complete a profile, which describes their compliance with the eligibility criteria listed above, specifically: • the number of states with accredited facilities; • the total number of accredited facilities; • how long the current accreditation standards have been in place; • the accrediting entity’s website with a link to the measures, scoring, and program search information; and • minimum assessor/evaluator qualifications. The profile must also include: • content areas included in the accreditation standards; • total number of criteria; • total number and listing of the required measures; • percentage and number of measures that must be met in order to be certified; • length of the accreditation period; and • the monitoring process. Submission of the Texas Rising Star Crosswalk National accreditation entities must complete and submit a crosswalk document provided by TWC to compare the accrediting entity’s standards to Texas Rising Star standards. Assessment of the Texas Rising Star Crosswalk In the crosswalk, new accreditation entities must demonstrate that all Texas Rising Star Two-Star (required) measures are also required by the accrediting entity. If the Texas Rising Star Two-Star required measures are not required by the accrediting entity, the entity must develop a separate assurance process to document that its accredited facilities in Texas will meet the Texas Rising Star–required measures as part of the entity’s accreditation process for Texas. Scoring of the Texas Rising Star Crosswalk TWC staff will review and evaluate the submitted crosswalk. If the entity meets the minimum thresholds listed below, a Two-Star, Three-Star, or Four-Star level will be assigned to the accreditation entity may be recognized within the Texas Rising Star program and eligible for a modified assessmentprogram: Texas Rising Star Certification LevelCategory Level Accreditation Score Thresholds Two-Star CertificationCategory 1 Certification Accreditation requires all Texas Rising Star Two-Star (required) measures (or entity has submitted a separate assurance process for the Texas child care and early learning programs); plus 80 percent of the Texas Rising Star points-based measures per facility type are included in the accreditation measures. Three-Star CertificationCategory 3 Certification Accreditation requires all Texas Rising Star Two -Star (required) measures (or entity has submitted a separate assurance process for Texas child care and early learning programs)measures; plus, 80 percent of Texas Rising Star points-based measures per age group are included in the accreditation measures. Four-Star Certification Accreditation requires all Texas Rising Star Two -Star (required) measures; plus, 90 percent of Texas Rising Star points-based measures per age group are included in the accreditation measures. Quick Reference List of Changes Revisions Approved July 2024 | Revisions Effective September 2024 Historical Perspective: Revised to streamline events and changes within last bullet regarding recent rule changes related to the recent Texas Rising Star Four-Year Review System for Progressive Quality Improvement: updated link to 2024 Board maximum reimbursement rates Entry Level Designation: Revised guidance regarding the points threshold, time period for CCR history review updated link for WD Letter 23-22, Change 2 Added guidance regarding requirement to complete an Interest Form, no exceptions or waivers for programs failing to meet points threshold, monthly review of compliance during the final 6-months of Entry Level designation CCS intake opened once in compliance returning to CCS with remaining designation timeframe Signed Agreements: Clarified guidance on having agreements with the program’s local Board and added guidance related to opting out of mentoring services Texas Rising Star Roles: Updated guidance on procurement of the centralized assessment entity. Eligibility for Texas Rising Star: Revised to review six months of CCR history Star-Level Drop: Revised to review six months of CCR history and added new points threshold requirement for initial certification eligibility Probation Deficiencies: Revised to review six months of CCR history and changes to specific CCR deficiencies that have impact (supervision, ratios, and director responsibilities) Ongoing Screening Process: Revised to denote daily automated screening clarified guidance on screening prior to assessment Added guidance on impacts captured in CLI Engage automatically transferring to TX3C (once live) Certification Process: Revised and clarified the steps to certification Added required documents for submission DoD Programs: Added three accrediting agencies specific to Montessori and clarified Early Head Start/Head Start Considerations for Programs with Specific Philosophies: Clarified curriculum review guidance Logo and Outreach Materials: Added guidance on upcoming digital toolkits for certified programs Types of Program Assessments: Clarified guidance on not meeting structural measures for assessments received after the initial which documents to submit for recertification Added guidance Requesting assessments via the online request form Which type of programs might request each type of assessment Revised guidance facility changes that result in an initial permit CAE conducting reconsiderations Texas Workforce Registry: Added guidance related to the Board’s designated TECPDS subject matter experts CLASS® Option for Category 2: Revised guidance on submission of CLASS® observation scores and updated WD Letter, Change 1 link Continuous Quality Improvement: Added guidance for suspension status Service Improvement Agreement: Added guidance regarding not requesting this assessment and yielding a change in star level Texas Rising Star Probation: Clarified guidance on Probation A and B Revised guidance for Probation B to have points threshold requirement Losing a Star Level and Texas Rising Star Suspension Status: Clarified guidance on returning to a star level eligibility for assessment on suspension Added guidance for Boards to document closed intake in TX3C steps for a program to return to CCS after termination Table 4.1 and 4.2: Impact of Deficiencies: Revised impacts and duration as applicable to match changes to rule and clarifications provided Facility Change Rubric: Revised to provide guidance as applicable to match the change related to initial permit issued.

EVALUATOR QUALIFICATIONS. The national accrediting entity must have minimum assessor/evaluator qualifications that align with the following Texas Rising Star requirements for assessors in TWC Chapter 809 Child Care Services rule §809.134(ac809.134(a). Specifically, the assessor/evaluator qualifications must include one of the following: A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, special education, child psychology, educational psychology, elementary education, or family consumer science A bachelor’s degree with at least 18 credit hours in early childhood education, child development, special education, child psychology, educational psychology, elementary education, or family consumer science with at least 12 credit hours in child development An associate’s degree in early childhood education, child development, special education, child psychology, educational psychology, elementary education, or family consumer science with two years of experience as a director in an early childhood program Includes All Age Groups Texas Rising Star certification includes measures for all age groups served by the Texas Rising Star–certified facility. To be eligible for TWC recognition, the national accrediting entity’s measures and certification must include all age groups served by the facility. Accreditation Recognition Application Process (cont.) Application Requirements and Procedures Accreditation entities must complete a profile, which describes their compliance with the eligibility criteria listed above, specifically: the number of states with accredited facilities; the total number of accredited facilities; how long the current accreditation standards have been in place; the accrediting entity’s website with a link to the measures, scoring, and program search information; and minimum assessor/evaluator qualifications. The profile must also include: content areas included in the accreditation standards; total number of criteria; total number and listing of the required measures; percentage and number of measures that must be met in order to be certified; length of the accreditation period; and the monitoring process. Submission of the Texas Rising Star Crosswalk National accreditation entities must complete and submit a crosswalk document provided by TWC to compare the accrediting entity’s standards to Texas Rising Star standards. Assessment of the Texas Rising Star Crosswalk In the crosswalk, new accreditation entities must demonstrate that all Texas Rising Star Two-Star (required) measures are also required by the accrediting entity. If the Texas Rising Star Two-Star required measures are not required by the accrediting entity, the entity must develop a separate assurance process to document that its accredited facilities in Texas will meet the Texas Rising Star–required measures as part of the entity’s accreditation process for Texas. Scoring of the Texas Rising Star Crosswalk TWC staff will review and evaluate the submitted crosswalk. If the entity meets the minimum thresholds listed below, a Two-Star, Three-Star, or Four-Star level will be assigned to the accreditation entity may be recognized within the Texas Rising Star program and eligible for a modified assessmentprogram: Texas Rising Star Certification LevelCategory Level Accreditation Score Thresholds Two-Star CertificationCategory 1 Certification Accreditation requires all Texas Rising Star Two-Star (required) measures (or entity has submitted a separate assurance process for the Texas child care and early learning programs); plus 80 percent of the Texas Rising Star points-based measures per facility type are included in the accreditation measures. Three-Star CertificationCategory 3 Certification Accreditation requires all Texas Rising Star Two -Star (required) measures (or entity has submitted a separate assurance process for Texas child care and early learning programs)measures; plus, 80 percent of Texas Rising Star points-based measures per age group are included in the accreditation measures. Four-Star Certification Accreditation requires all Texas Rising Star Two -Star (required) measures; plus, 90 percent of Texas Rising Star points-based measures per age group are included in the accreditation measures. Quick Reference List of Changes Revisions Approved July 2024 | Revisions Effective September 2024 Historical Perspective: Revised to streamline events and changes within last bullet regarding recent rule changes related to the recent Texas Rising Star Four-Year Review System for Progressive Quality Improvement: updated link to 2024 Board maximum reimbursement rates Entry Level Designation: Revised guidance regarding the points threshold, time period for CCR history review updated link for WD Letter 23-22, Change 2 Added guidance regarding requirement to complete an Interest Form, no exceptions or waivers for programs failing to meet points threshold, monthly review of compliance during the final 6-months of Entry Level designation CCS intake opened once in compliance returning to CCS with remaining designation timeframe Signed Agreements: Clarified guidance on having agreements with the program’s local Board and added guidance related to opting out of mentoring services Texas Rising Star Roles: Updated guidance on procurement of the centralized assessment entity. Eligibility for Texas Rising Star: Revised to review six months of CCR history Star-Level Drop: Revised to review six months of CCR history and added new points threshold requirement for initial certification eligibility Probation Deficiencies: Revised to review six months of CCR history and changes to specific CCR deficiencies that have impact (supervision, ratios, and director responsibilities) Ongoing Screening Process: Revised to denote daily automated screening clarified guidance on screening prior to assessment Added guidance on impacts captured in CLI Engage automatically transferring to TX3C (once live) Certification Process: Revised and clarified the steps to certification Added required documents for submission DoD Programs: Added three accrediting agencies specific to Montessori and clarified Early Head Start/Head Start Considerations for Programs with Specific Philosophies: Clarified curriculum review guidance Logo and Outreach Materials: Added guidance on upcoming digital toolkits for certified programs Types of Program Assessments: Clarified guidance on not meeting structural measures for assessments received after the initial which documents to submit for recertification Added guidance Requesting assessments via the online request form Which type of programs might request each type of assessment Revised guidance facility changes that result in an initial permit CAE conducting reconsiderations Texas Workforce Registry: Added guidance related to the Board’s designated TECPDS subject matter experts CLASS® Option for Category 2: Revised guidance on submission of CLASS® observation scores and updated WD Letter, Change 1 link Continuous Quality Improvement: Added guidance for suspension status Service Improvement Agreement: Added guidance regarding not requesting this assessment and yielding a change in star level Texas Rising Star Probation: Clarified guidance on Probation A and B Revised guidance for Probation B to have points threshold requirement Losing a Star Level and Texas Rising Star Suspension Status: Clarified guidance on returning to a star level eligibility for assessment on suspension Added guidance for Boards to document closed intake in TX3C steps for a program to return to CCS after termination Table 4.1 and 4.2: Impact of Deficiencies: Revised impacts and duration as applicable to match changes to rule and clarifications provided Facility Change Rubric: Revised to provide guidance as applicable to match the change related to initial permit issued.