Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance

Research shows that quality early childhood education plays an important role in preparing children to enter school ready to learn.  The key to quality programs is the preparation of personnel with whom young children spend a significant portion of their time. 

The Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance represents the first statewide early childhood training and professional recognition system in the nation administered by higher education to include orientation training through advanced degree programs.  The TECTA statewide training system is based upon the belief that early childhood education personnel need professional knowledge and skills to provide appropriate care for young children.  The primary goal is improving the quality of early childhood education by providing articulated preparation programs.  

TECTA classes involve child care providers, higher education, professional associations, state agencies, the business community, and parents.

Course work is based upon national standards for preparation of professional early childhood personnel.  The program provides articulation between post-secondary certificate and degree programs when students meet higher education admission requirements.

There are consortia of higher education institutions that serve child care providers in all ninety-five Tennessee counties.  TECTA is supported by the Tennessee Department of Human Services.   Management, training, and technical assistance are provided by Tennessee State University Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences. The TECTA State Management Office is located in Holland Hall on the main campus of Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. 

APSU TECTA is a department within the APSU College of Education.

Who is eligible? 

All Tennessee residents who are employed in a licensed family or group home, or licensed childcare center in Tennessee are eligible to participate.  (You must live and work in the state of Tennessee.)

 TECTA Career Lattice

Click here for TECTA's Professional Development Plan

TECTA Vision Statement

To provide professional development that nurtures the growth of individuals in a community of learners through an articulated statewide higher education system, resulting in the highest quality early childhood experiences for all of Tennessee's children.