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. 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. “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. Spring ISD received a $1.2 million grant from the TEA for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 school years, allowing it to offer full-day prekindergarten at Clark Primary, Heritage, Link, Lewis and Thompson elementary schools. Close to 500 students will be able to attend prekindergarten at those schools through the grant. "Prekindergarten offers our youngest learners the opportunity to foster school readiness by building the foundational skills they need to develop academic achievement and social and emotional intelligence," said Maria Solis, Spring ISD director for Early Childhood Programs. “We are committed to building a high quality prekindergarten program by increasing the number of full-day classrooms, which allows for more instructional time to build early literacy and math skills. The HB4 grant helps us get one step closer to our goal of full-day pre-K for all.” The district also plans to provide training for parents to enhance students’ classroom learning and to increase family participation in the education plan. Resources for parents and private providers can be found at www.twc.state.tx.us/partners/child-care-providers-resources.