Texas Rising Star Certification Levels
The Texas Rising Star program offers three levels of quality certification, which are Two-Star, Three-Star, and Four-Star
Texas Rising Star certification criteria are based on the following types of measures:
- Structural “met” or “not met” measures are required for certification at any level (Two-, Three-, or Four-Star)
- Qualitative, points-based measures scored on a scale of 0–3 points determine the star level
If an early learning program meets all the structural measures for Texas Rising Star certification, the scores of the points-based measures are used to determine the star level for each category and ultimately for the program as a whole. Points-based measures are scored and awarded through both in-person observation and document review.
A Texas Rising Star assessment assigns each of the four certification categories a star level based on the average score across the points-based subcategory measures. Additionally, each category is assigned a specific weight that is used to calculate the program’s overall star level. Category 2, Teacher-Child Interactions, has the highest weight at 40 percent since teacher-child interactions are known to correlate strongly with high-quality care and positive child outcomes.
Below are the weights assigned to each of the four categories:
| Certification Category | Weight |
| 1: Director and Staff Qualifications and Training | 20% |
| 2: Teacher-Child Interactions | 40% |
| 3: Program Administration | 20% |
| 4: Indoor and Outdoor Environments | 20% |
The score for a points-based measure in which multiple classrooms are assessed is based on the median score of the measures, which are then averaged.
The methodology for determining the star level of a category is based on the early learning program’s average score across all measures of a category:
- Four-Star—average score is 2.4 or greater (80 percent of total possible points)
- Three-Star—average score is 1.80 to 2.39 (60–79.9 percent of total possible points)
- Two-Star—average score is below 1.80 (less than 60 percent of total possible points)
For nationally accredited programs, Categories 1 and 3 will receive an automated average score of 3.0
Financial Incentives: Tiered Enhanced Payment Rates
Texas Rising Star–certified programs receive higher payment rates for children enrolled in the Child Care Services program than noncertified programs.
In accordance with TWC’s child care rules at 40 TAC §809.20(a), the Commission requires Boards to establish their maximum payment rates at or above a level established by the Commission. Texas Government Code §2308.315 requires the minimum payment rate for a Texas Rising Star–certified program to be greater than the maximum rate established for a program that is not Texas Rising Star-certified for the same category of care. TWC has published each of the Board’s maximum payment rates as of October 1, 2023.
The Commission requires Boards to set their Texas Rising Star maximum payment rates at or above the following levels:
- For Four-Star providers, at least 9 percent higher than the 75th percentile of the most recent Market Rate Survey
- For Three-Star providers, at least 7 percent higher than the 75th percentile
- For Two-Star providers, at least 5 percent higher than the 75th percentile
TWC has also published a Texas Rising Star Revenue Calculator to help child care and early learning programs forecast the revenue impact of enhanced payment rates.
Note: Child care and early learning programs that are designated as Entry Level do not receive enhanced payment rates.
For more information see Enhanced Rates