The Nevada Registry’s Training Approval System (TAS) Advisory Workgroup was formed in 2017 to help guide the ongoing development of The Nevada Registry’s implemented trainer criteria, approval and qualification process. The TAS Advisory Workgroup was dissolved in November 2022 and now functions as an Ad Hoc Committee as needed*.
Original Scope of Work:
- Assist in the development of alternative processes for obtaining experience delivering training to adults;
- Further review and refine the re-qualification/renewal criteria;
- Assist with the development of a training program for new trainers and mentoring program for existing trainers;
- Explore other components of the new and improved training approval system related to quality assurance (i.e., evaluation, observations);
- Create an evaluation process for approved trainers to evaluate the Training Approval System annually; and
- Provide overall support to The Nevada Registry in the community related to trainer criteria.
The TAS Advisory Workgroup began its work in August 2017 and was originally slated to conclude in December 2019 in conjunction with the full phase-in of trainer criteria but was extended through 2022. A total of twenty-six meetings of the workgroup were held during this time. Updates regarding the progress of the workgroup and final decisions that came forth because of this work were posted to the For Trainers page of The Nevada Registry website as well as to the NEWS page.
Workgroup Composition
The TAS Advisory Workgroup was comprised of members representing The Nevada Registry (staff), The Nevada Registry Advisory Committee, the Registry Advisory Committee Trainer Criteria Workgroup and specific sectors of the trainer community and Early Childhood workforce in Nevada. Original appointed members of the workgroup were all approved as trainers in 2017 under the new trainer qualification and approval criteria and were selected through an application process.
Former Workgroup Members
Employer: The Nevada Registry
Member Category: NevAEYC, TEACH Early Childhood Nevada
Employer: NevAEYC
Member Category: Center Director – URBAN/Las Vegas, Nevada Registry Advisory Committee Member
Employer: La Petite Academy
Member Category: Support Service Provider
Employer: United Way of Southern Nevada
Workgroup Accomplishments
Each year, the TAS Advisory Workgroup identified specific priorities to serve as the basis for their work. Priorities were aligned with the overarching scope of work and the established trainer approval and renewal processes. Five significant accomplishments are listed below. A complete list of workgroup priorities, goals and progress can be reviewed at the bottom of this page.
(Data as of April 2024)
- The Adult Learning Academy was created as a pathway to trainer approval for individuals without prior experience delivering training to adult learners. Five Academies have been held to date producing 101 total graduates. ALA graduates have delivered 2,509 Registry-approved training sessions equating to over 5,700 hours of training delivered to ECE educators statewide.
- Successfully created processes for the approval of virtual training delivery in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including delivery guidelines and training resources. The approval of virtual training has enabled the delivery of over 3,500 Registry-approved virtual training sessions and continues to increase accessibility and availability of professional development and reduce inequities related to geographical barriers by creating greater statewide access.
- Created an electronic training tracking attendance feature allowing Registry-approved training sessions to be added to the membership accounts of active Registry members within five calendar days of attending an in-person or virtual training session. Nearly 9,200 attendance records have been submitted electronically for over 132,600 (duplicated)/9,500 (unduplicated) attendees to date.
- Established data-sharing partnerships with 22 approved online training organizations to allow online coursework completion data to be added to the accounts of active members (once verified) within one week of completion rather than annually when renewing their membership with The Nevada Registry; making the ‘Training Transcript’ available to all active Registry members a more accurate and up to date record of their completed training. As a result of these partnerships, nearly 171,000 Registry-approved courses have been imported into the accounts of active Registry members. This, along with the training tracking attendance feature mentioned above streamline training verification and are important components in helping to support Registry members and Child Care Licensing teams with real-time data related to training and professional development.
- Developed a mobile app for approved trainers to further streamline the attendance tracking and verification process related to training delivery.
Workgroup Priorities and Goals 2017 – 2022
Each year, the TAS Advisory Workgroup identified specific priorities and goals to serve as the basis for their work. Priorities were aligned with the overarching scope of work and the established trainer approval and renewal processes.
2017 Priorities
The workgroup was successful in completing all three of the priorities identified for the 2017 calendar year.
- Priority 1: Clarify the renewal requirement to deliver four public training sessions in the previous 12 months. Status: Complete
- Priority 2: Define the 15 hours of continuing education required for renewal. Status: Complete
- Priority 3: Develop ways for individuals without the 15 hours of previous experience delivering training to initially qualify to become a trainer. Status: Complete
In addition to completing the three priorities identified above, the workgroup created policies to address non-compliance with the annual trainer renewal requirements.
2018 Priorities
The workgroup was successful in completing both priorities identified for the 2018 calendar year.
- Priority 1: Finalize the Adult Learning Academy program structure and offer it to prospective trainers in Nevada. Status: Complete
An Ad Hoc Committee was created to finalize the structure of the Adult Learning Academy. Instructors were secured and two separate Academies were held in 2018. - Priority 2: Develop a quality assurance and trainer evaluation component of the training approval system (to occur between April 2018 – December 2019). Status: Definitions and Purpose Complete
2019 Priorities
The workgroup completed one of the two priorities identified for the 2019 calendar year. Work on the second priority continued in 2020.
- Priority 1: Distribute two separate surveys: 1) To gain input from Nevada Registry-approved trainers about what they believe, and what they have found, to be the components of a high-quality evaluation tool, and 2) To gain input from Directors and Administrators of early childhood programs about what they believe are the components of a high-quality professional development program and how they evaluate the quality and effectiveness of Registry-approved training sessions. Status: Complete
Both surveys were published on 1/25/19. Feedback collected will serve as the foundation for future discussions regarding Priority #2 as well as the ongoing general development of the Quality Assurance System. - Priority 2: Develop a high-quality standardized/universal evaluation tool and policies for implementation. Status: To be revisited by an Ad Hoc Committee of the former TAS Advisory Workgroup.
2020 Priorities
The COVID-19 pandemic created unique and unforeseen challenges during 2020. Despite these challenges, the workgroup completed three of the four priorities identified for the 2020 calendar year. Work related to developing a standardized evaluation tool was put on hold while the workgroup focused on newly identified priorities.
- Priority 1: Continue to develop a high-quality standardized/universal evaluation tool and policies for implementation (initiated in 2019). Status: Incomplete. Will be revisited by an Ad Hoc Committee of the former TAS Advisory Workgroup.
- Priority 2: Launch a discussion forum to support and facilitate collaboration and resource sharing among Directors and Approved Trainers (and other audiences as identified). Status: Complete
- Priority 3: Incorporate an attendance-tracking feature within the Online Portal to initiate “real time” data-tracking. Status: Complete
- Priority 4: Create processes for the approval of virtual training delivery in response to COVID-19, including delivery guidelines and training resources. Status: Complete
2021 Goals
The workgroup made steady progress on both goals identified for the 2021 calendar year.
- Goal 1: Develop a mobile app to further facilitate the tracking and submission of training attendance. Status: Complete.
- Goal 2: Collaborate with approved online training organizations to secure data sharing partnerships to facilitate electronic data imports of completed online course completions. Status: Complete.
2022 Goals
In its final year, the workgroup made progress on all five identified goals for the 2022 calendar year. The two goals that remain in process will be addressed by an Ad Hoc Committee of the former TAS Advisory Workgroup beginning in 2023 and beyond.
- Goal 1: Launch mobile app to streamline attendance tracking and verification. Status: Launched December 2023.
- Goal 2: Secure additional data-sharing partnerships with approved online training organizations. Status: Complete December 2023.
- Goal 3: Collaborate with the Nevada Early Childhood Obesity Steering Committee to create standardized training approval criteria for Wellness Training.
Status: Complete. Wellness rubric was adopted by the Steering Committee in September 2022. New Wellness approval criteria went into effect February 2025. - Goal 4: Begin creating best practice standards and expectations for the delivery of high-quality, Registry-approved training. Status: In Process.
Goal 5: Begin examining current professional development offerings and revise standards related to training content, format and support in alignment with the Nevada Ready B-5 Alignment Project. Status: In Process.
2023 and Beyond
Ad Hoc Committees of the former TAS Advisory Workgroup will be convened to address unfinished 2017 – 2022 priorities and goals, and as needed to explore changes, modifications and additions to trainer approval criteria and the training approval system.
Ad Hoc Committee Meetings Held:
- November 13, 2024