Texas Core Competencies

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Core competencies are the foundation of a professional development system.

Overview

Core competencies are essential concepts, skills, and abilities for early childhood professionals. In Texas, these competencies guide Practitioners, Administrators, Trainers, and Coaches/Mentors in their roles and training. Mastery of these areas ensures effectiveness in supporting children’s growth and development. For detailed competencies under each area, download the full Core Competencies documents.

Texas Core Competency Areas

Practitioners

Levels

Beginner Practitioners: support early learning and development through adherence to program and regulatory policies.

Intermediate Practitioners: support early learning and development with increasing independence and effectiveness.

Advanced Practitioners: support early learning and development through leadership in the development of program policy and practice, and their ability to enhance the knowledge and skills of others in the profession.

Areas

  • Child Growth and Development
  • Responsive Interactions and Guidance
  • Learning Environments, Planning Framework, Curriculum, and Standards
  • Supporting Skill Development
  • Observation and Assessment
  • Diversity and Dual Language Learners
  • Family and Community Relationships
  • Health, Safety, and Nutrition
  • Professionalism and Ethics

Download the Texas Core Competencies for Early Childhood Practitioners and Administrators for additional information and specific competencies in each area, aligned to the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Learn more about the ECE educator micro-credentials aligned to these core competencies, currently being piloted on CLI Engage.

Administrators

Levels

Beginner Administrators: lead and support the program by adhering to laws governed by the state and program policies.

Intermediate Administrators: lead and support the program with increasing independence and effectiveness.

Advanced Administrators: lead and support the program by providing strong leadership and high-quality program components that promote the well-being of children and families.

Areas

  • Establishing and Maintaining an Effective Organization
  • Business and Operations Management
  • Human Resource Leadership and Development
  • Maintaining a Healthy and Safe Environment
  • Implementing a Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum and Environment
  • Instituting Family and Community-Centered Programming

Download the Texas Core Competencies for Early Childhood Practitioners and Administrators for additional information and specific competencies in each area, aligned to the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels.

Trainers

Areas

  • Adult Learning Theory
  • Training Delivery and Methodologies
  • Transfer of Learning
  • Training Content Development
  • Monitoring and Evaluating Training Effectiveness
  • Characteristics of Effective Trainers

Download the Core Competencies for Trainers for additional information and specific competencies in each area. The TECPDS Advisory Council participated in their development. Learn more about the trainer micro-credentials aligned to these core competencies, available on CLI Engage.

Coaches and Mentors

Areas

  • Characteristics of Effective Specialists (Coaches/Mentors)
  • Observation Skills
  • Providing Feedback
  • Fostering Reflective Thinking
  • Demonstration and Verbal Cues
  • Supporting Continuous Improvement

Download the Core Competencies for Coaches for more information. Learn more about the coach micro-credentials aligned to these core competencies, available on CLI Engage.

Texas Core Competency Resource Guides

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Core Competencies Alignment to NAEYC

TECPDS recently completed an alignment of the Texas Early Childhood Core Competencies for Practitioners to the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators.

Core Competency Training Modules

The content and structure of the competencies can be thought of as a framework for assessing knowledge and skills, guiding training and professional development opportunities, and monitoring progress. Through CLI Engage, early childhood professionals can learn about the Texas Core Competencies for Early Childhood Administrators and Practitioners. This training was designed for use by early childhood professionals to improve the quality of care and education young children receive.

Core Competencies Training Modules