Assessment Record Form Overview

To complete a program assessment, the Assessor will use the required notetaking document to support scoring for each class observed and will complete a FARF for the facility. Completion of the CARF by the Assessor is not required, but the CARF can be used by the ELP for self-assessment. 

• The FARF includes all measures that apply to the whole program or facility.  

• The CARF includes all measures that apply to an individual class based upon its age group.  

The assessment record forms list each measure number, the name of the measure, and the scoring criteria for the measure. For Category 2, use the “Category 2 Teacher-Child Interactions: Sample Key Behaviors” handout to help focus on key teaching behaviors (found under the “TRS Tools” tab of the Texas Rising Star website). However, note that these key behaviors are not an exhaustive list. The TSM also provides supporting guidance on calibrating scores and scoring clarification for each measure and should be used for determining scoring of each measure. 

The FARF and the required note-taking document must be used during the assessment to record what was observed during the review of the facility’s documents, indoor and outdoor environments, and classroom observation. These notes will provide evidence for each measure’s final score.  

Because there are age-specific items in the Texas Rising Star matrix, there is a separate CARF for infant classes. The toddler, preschool, and school-age classes are combined into one CARF. The age groups for each are as follows: 

• Infant: 0–17 months  

• Toddler: 18–35 months  

• Preschool: 3–5 years  

• School Age: 6–12 years  

CCR Minimum Standard §746.1605 must be maintained for mixed-age classrooms. Per regulation standards, if the youngest child in the group is younger than 18 months, the oldest child in the group must not be more than 18 months older than the youngest child. Refer to CCR Minimum Standards for other exceptions.  

When observing a licensed or registered home, the “All Ages” CARF is used. However, the Assessor will score only those measures that are relevant to the ages of the children in the home or classroom. For example, if the home does not serve infants, then the infant measures will remain blank.  

Some measures are also specific to licensed centers—all ages (birth to 12 years) licensed centers, school-age only, or licensed and registered homes. In determining which form is relevant to the program being assessed, the Assessor should confirm what CCR Minimum Standards the site operates under. For example, if a site operates under Chapter 744 of CCR Minimum Standards, it is designated as a school-age only program.  

Boards may not develop their own note-taking observation forms. It is required that staff use the note-taking document provided within Engage to document their observations.