Welcome to today’s Information Session & the Role of the Professional Development Specialist Please download a copy of the CDA 2.0 Transition Guide at cdacouncil.org/cda2013

Mary M. LaMantia, Manager Professional Development Specialist Program Karolina Jasinska, Manager Research and Development Chelsea Bailey Communications Associate

Will be effective as of June 1, 2013

What is “CDA 2.0 ”? The term “CDA 2.0” is the Council’s way of letting the early childhood community know that the CDA credentialing system is about to be updated, on June 1, 2013, streamlining the process and making it even more valuable as a professional development experience for Candidates. Once the new system goes into effect, we will stop using the term “2.0” because, at that point, it will be the one and only Child Development Associate (CDA) National Credentialing Program™.

Candidate Assessment Overview The credentialing system is built upon the six CDA Competency Goals and thirteen Functional Areas Multiple sources of evidence are: – the CDA Exam – Family Questionnaires – the Professional Portfolio (educational transcripts, resource collection, 6 Reflective Statements of Competence, Professional Philosophy Statement) – Performance Observation – Reflective Dialogue & Action Planning

Comparison of the Current and Future CDA Credentialing Processes

“CDA 2.0” Credentialing Process CANDIDATE PROCESS Step 1: Anytime before Application Minimum of high school diploma/GED or Enrolled in a high school vocational program 120 hours of education in 8 Subject Areas

“CDA 2.0” Credentialing Process (within 3 years) CANDIDATE PROCESS Step 2 : Before Application 480 hours of experience

“CDA 2.0” Credentialing Process CANDIDATE PROCESS Step 3 : Within Six Months before Application Professional Portfolio completed by Candidate Family Questionnaires (FQ) gathered by the Candidate

“CDA 2.0” Credentialing Process CANDIDATE PROCESS Step 4 : Application Candidate sends to the Council: Application Fee Candidate receives approval that application is complete and fee was processed

“CDA 2.0” Credentialing Process (complete within 30 days of application approval) CANDIDATE PROCESS Step 5 : Council Approval of Completed Application Candidate takes CDA Exam at a local PearsonVUE center Verification Visit conducted by CDA Professional Development Specialist (chosen by Candidate) using the R.O.R. Model™: Review of Family Questionnaires, transcripts/ Certificates, Professional Portfolio Observation Reflective Dialogue

Candidate’s knowledge and competencies will be determined using two factors: # question test of ECE best practice & knowledge, taken at a local testing center Both the CDA Exam and Verification Visit Comprehensive Scoring Instrument were designed using the CDA Competency Goals and Functional Areas, which will remain unchanged.

Candidate’s knowledge and competencies will be determined using two factors: #2 Review of Professional Portfolio, transcripts/ certificates, Family Questionnaires Direct Observation of competencies Reflective Dialogue

“CDA 2.0” Credentialing Process CANDIDATE PROCESS Step 6 : After Verification Visit Professional Development Specialist sends Verification Visit scores to the Council online PearsonVue sends exam scores to the Council online

CANDIDATE PROCESS Step 7: Council awards or denies CDA Credential CDA Exam scores in each of the 13 CDA Functional Areas Verification Visit Recommended Scores

Credentialing Determination The Council will then combine the two sets of scores into a final Cumulative Score which will determine Candidate credentialing. Awarded (3 years) or denied, the Candidate will also receive feedback on their strengths and areas of growth in each of the CDA Functional Areas.

SUMMARY - Current to CDA 2.0

The 2013 Transition Applications received by the Council postmarked between now and May 31, 2013, Candidate will:  use the current CDA Credentialing process  be assigned a Council Representative to conduct the Verification Visit, even if that Visit takes place after June 1. All applications using the current CDA Credentialing process, that therefore include Verification Visits by Council Reps, will be completed by August 31, Applications received by the Council with a postmark date on or after June 1, 2013, Candidate will:  use the “CDA 2.0” Credentialing process  choose a CDA PDS to conduct the Verification Visit  take the CDA Exam at a local PearsonVUE testing center.

Professional Development Specialist The Professional Development Specialist (PDS) will be the local professional who brings to the process the mentoring/coaching skills and ECE expertise needed to stimulate the Candidate’s self-reflection in their professional development process. The PD Specialist (PDS) will adopt many of the tasks of the current Rep and CDA Advisor to best utilize their time and skills for the Candidate.

PDS Eligibility The requirements to become a PD Specialist are the same as the current Rep requirements with additional requirements of Internet access, an active account and ability to conduct the Candidate Observation during normal program hours. All current, active Council Representatives are automatically eligible to take the online training modules to become a CDA Professional Development Specialist provided there are no performance issues under review.

Becoming a PDS...  Initial step: Review the eligibility requirements on the Council website Go to the CDA 2.0 page on the website and fill in the PDS sign- up form – only once! Download and review the available CDA 2.0 resources on the Council website (Transition Guide, power points) Register for the Council newsletter, CounciLINK to stay abreast of the upcoming changes to the program

Becoming a PDS... Next step: - Application The electronic online application process will be open in late January/early February 2013 following public announcement to all interested parties. All individuals who have signed up on the Council website, with accurate addresses, will be invited to indicate their continued interest by completing the online application form. Please clear the Council address from your spam folder.

Becoming a PDS... Next step: - Application Review for Training Approval Once the online PDS application is completed, it will be electronically forwarded to the PDS team. Applications will be reviewed to select those individuals who meet the specific eligibility requirements. All eligible PDS applicants will receive notification of their application approval along with an outline of the training process and be assigned their training username/password.

Becoming a PDS... Next step: - Training Implementation PDS applicants take the PDS module training online at their own pace and personal convenience. PDS applicants must complete all the training modules and pass the PDS Exam. The Council is currently researching and developing online training modules, the online system, and PDS website portal. The PDS online training is scheduled to begin in January/February The Council will provide all necessary training materials.

Becoming a PDS... PDS Training Module topics: – Comprehensive Scoring Instrument – Review – Observation – Reflective Dialogue & Action Planning – PDS Portal – Tabulation and Online Submission – Assessment selection/notification process – Conflict of Interest – Professional Ethics & PDS Quality Assurance – Online PDS Directory – Certification & PDS Identification Number

Being a PDS... PDS Key Points PDS certification is valid for a 2 year period with online refresher training required at end of certification period. Online PDS Directory will provide a roster of certified PDSs. There is no charge for PDS training for first year. Candidate selects the PD Specialist & enters the PDS personal identification number on the Candidate’s application form. The Verification Visit steps may be completed in one day or more but must be done within a 7 day window. PDS Quality Assurance program will monitor & ensure PDS performance and compliance with system requirements.

Conflict of Interest Relationships with Candidates that are unacceptable for serving in the PD Specialist role are: Immediate relative (mother, father, sibling, spouse, son, daughter) Current direct supervisor Co-worker in same group/classroom

Conflict of Interest Relationships which bear ethical considerations There are many other types of relationships which will require both the Candidate and prospective PDS to carefully consider any potential conflict of interest. (indirect supervisor, trainer, employer, peer/friend, licensing age, person with financial/contractual considerations/benefits, person with person/professional bias toward or against Candidate,… ) The Council reserves the right to enact further inquiries or end the service of a PDS and/or application of the Candidate at any time should a question of conflict arise.

Special Accommodations & Remote Policies The Council assesses all eligible Candidates. The Council will work individually with each Candidate facing special circumstances and/or needs in order to provide an opportunity for a fair standardized assessment. PearsonVUE testing centers are nation wide. Though we anticipate easy access for Candidates and problems minimal because of the extensive coverage PearsonVUE offers, the Council is creating the Remote Policy to cover these instances. Once these policies are finalized, they will be posted on the Council website.

PDS Honorarium PD Specialists will receive a $100 honorarium for each completed Verification Visit. To expedite payments, the Council is currently researching a variety of payment systems.

cdacouncil.org Thank you ! th St NW Washington, DC Thank you !

CDA 2.0!! Comments - Suggestions - Compliments

To Learn More Please visit the Council’s website, cdacouncil.org. We post a growing ‘Questions & Answers’ page to anticipate and meet your needs. Be sure to signup for the CounciLINK newsletter on our website: cdacouncil.org/newsletter. Please with further questions, ideas or suggestions about the Also, please with your thoughts about the role of the PD