The Texas School Readiness Certification System (SRCS) evaluates the effectiveness of prekindergarten, Head Start and Early Head Start, and community-based child care programs in preparing children for kindergarten. The SRCS was adopted by the P-16 Council in 2006.
- Web-based system for early childhood education programs to submit information for certification as Texas School Ready!™
- Research-based and fully integrated with PEIMS data information
- Certification based on linking:
- Quality instructional practices that prepare students for kindergarten
- Student-level data collected at the prekindergarten and kindergarten level
- Only early childhood quality rating system in the country linking prekindergarten activities in public school, Head Start, and community-based child care programs to kindergarten outcomes at the student level
Not a grant program, however; District prekindergarten, child care (for-profit and nonprofit), and Head Start programs that are part of the Prekindergarten Early Start and TEEM grant programs are required to enter data into the certification system
80th Texas Legislature (2007), HB 1, General Appropriations Act, Rider 47, Pre-kindergarten Early Start Grant Program