1. Welcome to today’s Information Session
Please download
a copy of the CDA 2.0 Transition Guide at cdacouncil.org/cda2013

2. Will be effective as of June 1, 2013

3. 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™.
Why is it called 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, early next year, 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 CDA national credentialing system.

4. Candidate Assessment
The credentialing system is built upon the the CDA Competency Goals and Functional Areas
Every Candidate will be required to:
collect evidence of competence into the Professional Portfolio
compose a Professional Philosophy Statement and six Reflective Statements of Competence
be observed working with young children
participate in a reflective dialogue
take the CDA Exam

5. CDA Exam Verification Visit
Candidate’s knowledge and competencies will be determined using two factors:
65-question test of ECE practice knowledge, taken at a local testing center
CDA Exam
Review of Professional Portfolio, transcripts/ certificates, Family Questionnaires
Direct Observation of competencies
Reflective Dialogue
Verification Visit
Both the CDA Exam and Verification Visit Comprehensive Scoring Instrument were designed using the CDA Competency Goals and Functional Areas, which will remain unchanged.
Upon completion of the exam, the Candidate’s scores in each of the 13 CDA Functional Areas will be immediately transmitted to the Council.
Based on their findings from the Verification Visit, the PD Specialist will submit their 13 Recommended Scores to the Council online.
The Council will then combine the two sets of scores into a final Cumulative Score which will determine Candidate credentialing. Awarded or denied, the Candidate will also receive feedback on their strengths and areas of growth in each of the CDA Functional Areas.
Both the CDA Exam and Verification Visit Comprehensive Scoring Instrument were designed using the CDA Competency Goals and Functional Areas, which will remain unchanged.

6. The R. O. R. Model ™ Review Observe Reflect
Components of the Verification Visit that will contribute to the assessment of Candidate competency
Review
the contents of the Portfolio, transcripts & Family Questionnaires
Observe
the Candidate working with children, recording criterion evidence
Reflect
with the Candidate, focusing on the Candidate’s areas of strength or growth
The PD Specialist will:
Review the Candidate’s Professional Portfolio, training transcripts/certificates and Parent Questionnaires
Observe the Candidate working with children and record criterion evidence
Reflect with the Candidate, focusing on areas of strength or growth found in the Portfolio or seen in the Observation.
Submit the Competency Recommendation Scores to the Council that contribute to the final credentialing decision.

7. Credentialing Determination
Denial
Award
Upon completion of the Exam, the Candidate’s scores in each of the 13 CDA Functional Areas will be immediately transmitted to the Council.
Based on their findings from the Verification Visit, the PD Specialist will submit their Recommended Scores to the Council online.
The Council will then combine the two sets of scores into a final Cumulative
Score which will determine Candidate credentialing. Awarded or denied,
the Candidate will also receive feedback on their strengths and areas of
growth in each of the CDA Functional Areas.
Upon completion of the exam, the Candidate’s scores in each of the 13 CDA Functional Areas will be immediately transmitted to the Council.
Based on their findings from the Verification Visit, the PD Specialist will submit their 13 Recommended Scores to the Council online.
The Council will then combine the two sets of scores into a final Cumulative Score which will determine Candidate credentialing. Awarded or denied, the Candidate will also receive feedback on their strengths and areas of growth in each of the CDA Functional Areas.
In order to move into this updated process, the Council anticipates the need for an expanded group of early childhood professionals to serve the candidates.

8. Comparison of the Current and Future CDA Credentialing Processes

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

11. Credentialing Process Credentialing Process
Step 2: Before Application
Current CDA
Credentialing Process
(within 5 years)
“CDA 2.0”
Credentialing Process
(within 3 years)
120 hours of training in
8 Subject Areas
480 hours of experience
480 hours of experience

12. Credentialing Process Credentialing Process
Step 3: Within Six Months before Application
Current CDA
Credentialing Process
“CDA 2.0”
Credentialing Process
Observation by CDA Advisor (chosen by the candidate)
Professional Resource File (PRF) completed by Candidate
Parent Questionnaires (PQ) gathered by Candidate
Professional Portfolio completed by Candidate
Family Questionnaires (FQ) gathered by the Candidate

13. Credentialing Process Credentialing Process
Step 4: Application
Current CDA
Credentialing Process
“CDA 2.0”
Credentialing Process
Candidate sends to the Council:
Application
Fee
Transcripts and/or Certificates of training
Candidate sends to the Council:
Application
Fee
Candidate receives approval that application is complete and fee
was processed

14. Step 5: Council Approval of Completed Application
Current CDA
Credentialing Process
(approval within 3 months)
“CDA 2.0”
Credentialing Process
(approval within 30 days)
Verification Visit conducted by Council Representative (assigned by Council):
Early Childhood Studies Review exam
Oral Interview
Review of PRF and PQs
Verification Visit conducted by CDA Professional Development Specialist (chosen by Candidate):
Review of PP, FQs, transcripts/Certificates
Observation
Reflective Dialogue
Candidate takes CDA Exam at a local PearsonVUE center

15. Credentialing Process Credentialing Process
Step 6: After Verification Visit
Current CDA
Credentialing Process
“CDA 2.0”
Credentialing Process
Council Representative mails Verification Visit results to the Council
Professional Development Specialist sends Verification Visit scores to the Council online
PearsonVue sends exam scores to the Council online
Step 7: Council awards or denies CDA Credential

16. The 2013 Transition Plan
Any Candidate whose application is received by the Council with a postmark date on or before May 31, 2013 will use the current CDA Credentialing process. The Candidate will be assigned a Council Representative who will 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, 2013.
Any Candidate whose application is received by the Council with a postmark date on or after June 1, 2013 will use the “CDA 2.0” Credentialing process . The Candidate will need to choose a CDA Professional Development Specialist to conduct the Verification Visit and will need to take the CDA Exam at a local PearsonVUE testing center.

17. For More Information
Sign Up for the CounciLINK Newsletter Be sure to keep up with all the news from the Council. CounciLINK, our monthly newsletter, is our primary way to provide you with the most current information you need to succeed! If you are not yet on our ing list, please sign up: Us Have other CDA 2.0-related questions or concerns? Please feel free to contact Richard Cohen, Director of Communications, Partnerships and New Initiatives, at or Mary LaMantia, Manager of the CDA Professional Development Specialist Program, at