The Texas Early Childhood Professional Development System (TECPDS) is a statewide program designed to meet the professional development needs of early childhood professionals.
TECPDS was developed through a joint project of the Texas Head Start State Collaboration Office and the Texas Early Learning Council and is housed at the Children’s Learning Institute. TECPDS launched in 2013 and continues to expand and enhance professional development opportunities, resources, and tools for early childhood professionals.
TECPDS Tools for ITSN Specialists
TECPDS includes three essential tools for infant-toddler specialists: the Texas Trainer Registry, Texas Workforce Registry, and the Certificate Generation Tool. Through participation in the ITSN, specialists will receive training and support to make the most of these tools in their practice with teachers. Learn more about these tools below.
Texas Trainer Registry
The Texas Trainer Registry (TTR) lists approved early childhood trainers and their trainings. In order for these trainers to be listed on the TTR, they must apply and meet certain eligibility criteria based on their education, training, and experience. Each training proposal submitted is also reviewed and approved based on the relevancy of the content, benefits to a target audience, and the inclusion of adult learning practices and proper training methodologies.
There are two account types in the Texas Trainer Registry, Registered and Non-Registered Trainer. Click on the links below to learn more:
REGISTERED TRAINER NON-REGISTERED TRAINER
All ITSN Certified Members MUST create either a Registered or Non-Registered Trainer account. This provides opportunities to create standardized certificates that contain all of the information needed by Child Care Licensing and Texas Rising Star. Get started with setting up your Texas Trainer account here.
Workforce Registry
The Texas Workforce Registry (TWR) is a web-based application for early childhood professionals to keep track of all of their education and employment history, as well as the clock hours of training they have accrued. Features of this system include the ability to create a professional development profile, view reports, link to your program or school, list job openings on the Job Board, and evaluate trainings presented by Registered Trainers.
There are two account types in the Texas Workforce Registry, both available at no cost:
- Center Director/Administrator: Early childhood program administrators are those professionals who are responsible for planning, managing, implementing, and evaluating early childhood programs. Common job titles include center director, site manager, school administrator, program manager, coordinator, and principal. Learn more about creating an administrator account.
- Practitioner: Early childhood practitioners are those professionals (regardless of early childhood setting) who provide direct instruction and/or care to young children. Common job titles for practitioners include teacher, assistant teacher, provider, and caregiver. Learn more about creating a practitioner account.
We highly encourage ITSN specialists to spread awareness of the benefits of Workforce Registry accounts and to support early childhood professionals in joining the registry.
Certificate Generation Tool
Part of the Texas Trainer Registry, the Certificate Generation Tool provides opportunities for all trainers to create certificates that meet all state requirements for their training participants. Non-Registered and Registered Trainers now have the ability to upload certificates directly into the workforce registry accounts of training attendees. Use the Certificate Generation Tool to create certificates for your face-to-face and online trainings, as well as coaching and mentoring!
Learn out to use the Certificate Generation Tool here. Note: A Trainer Registry account must be created prior to using the tool.