(a) The rules contained in this subchapter may be cited as the Texas Rising Star Program rules.
(b) The purpose of the Texas Rising Star Program rules is to interpret and implement Texas Government Code §2308.3155, which requires the Commission to establish rules to administer the Texas Rising Star program, including guidelines for rating a child care provider for Texas Rising Star certification and designation of an Entry Level child care provider.
(c) The Texas Rising Star Program rules identify the organizational structure and categories of, and the scoring factors that shall be included in, the Texas Rising Star guidelines.
(d) The Texas Rising Star guidelines shall:
  (1) describe measures for Texas Rising Star certification that contain, at a minimum, measures for child care providers regarding:
    (A) director and staff qualifications and training;
    (B) teacher-child interactions;
    (C) program administration; and
    (D) indoor/outdoor environments;
  (2) specify measures that:
    (A) must be met in order for a provider to be certified at each star level; and
    (B) are observed and have points awarded through on-site assessments;
  (3) specify the scoring methodology and scoring thresholds for each certified star level;
  (4) describe the high and medium-high CCR deficiencies points threshold pursuant to §809.131 and §809.132 of this chapter; and
  (5) the process for designating providers at the Entry Level.
(e) The Texas Rising Star guidelines:
  (1) shall be reviewed and updated by the Commission at a minimum of every four years in conjunction with the rule review of this chapter, conducted pursuant to Texas Government Code §2001.039 and the Texas Rising Star guidelines review shall:
    (A) consider input from stakeholders; and
    (B) include at least one public hearing held prior to submitting the stakeholder input to the Commission;
  (2) shall be adopted by the Commission subject to the requirements of the Texas Open Meetings Act; and
  (3) may be reviewed and amended as determined necessary by the Commission in accordance with the requirements of the Texas Open Meetings Act.

Source Note: The provisions of this §809.130 adopted to be effective February 16, 2015, 40 TexReg 708; amended to be effective March 14, 2016, 41 TexReg 1975; amended to be effective January 25, 2021, 46 TexReg 593; amended to be effective October 3, 2022, 47 TexReg 6437; amended to be effective July 29, 2024, 49 TexReg 5540