The Texas Education Agency is partnering with the Texas Workforce Commission on a new planning and implementation grant for quality pre-K programming in school districts across the state. School districts and charter schools can apply for a portion of the $7.8 million available, which will be disbursed after recipients are announced in December, according to TEA officials. Leander ISD applied for a portion of the funds and was awarded $246,403, according to Veronica Sopher, assistant superintendent of community and governmental relations. Additionally, highly rated Texas Rising Star childcare providers will be eligible to partner with their local districts and charter schools to provide pre-K to 3- and 4-year-olds. This will give school systems an avenue to provide early childhood education to more Texas children. LISD has not decided whether it will apply for the Texas Rising Star grant, Sopher said. “This collaboration between TEA and TWC will help expand access to quality prekindergarten programs, strengthening the future of Texas public education and workforce development,” Commissioner of Education Mike Morath said in a news release. Over time, officials with TWC have increased quality standards for its TRS program, a system that rates subsidized childcare programming. They have made more financial and staff resources available in hopes that more childcare providers will obtain TRS certification. TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar said the partnership reflects a strong commitment to increase the enrollment capacity for early learning environments. “These public-private partnerships between ISDs and 4-star Texas Rising Star providers will generate new school readiness and alignment opportunities for Texas early learners,” he said. Resources for parents and private providers can be found at www.twc.state.tx.us/partners/child-care-providers-resources. Kara Nuzback contributed to this article.