The R.O.R. Model™ / Verification Visit
CDA Professional Development Specialist
The New CDA Process
How was the new system created?
The updating of the CDA system began in 2010 as a response to the feedback and suggestions that we received from countless members of the national CDA community. We worked with panels of early childhood subject matter experts, CDA and instructional practitioners, psychometricians and Council staff who contributed their expertise and perspectives on the numerous components of the system, such as writing and testing new exam questions, updating and testing the observation tool, and redesigning the Verification Visit to make it more valuable for Candidates.
Are there two different CDA processes with this new assessment system?
Candidates who applied before June 1, 2013 will complete their assessment process using the old credentialing system (with the Council Representative). All Candidates who apply after June 1, 2013 will earn their credential using the new process.
How did the credentialing process change?
The new CDA process adds value to the Candidates' experiences while retaining many of the familiar aspects of the Council's framework for determining competency using the 6 CDA Competency Goals and 13 Functional Areas:
- The CDA Representative and Advisor roles were converted into one role - the CDA Professional Development Specialist (in short, the PD Specialist).
- The CDA Exam (formerly the Early Childhood Studies Review) is no longer administered during the Verification Visit by the CDA Representative. Instead, Candidates take the CDA Exam at a time of their choosing at any one of the many convenient PearsonVUE testing centers throughout the country.
- The Verification Visit includes a Professional Portfolio review, review of training documentation, direct observation, and the opportunity for the Candidate to reflect on their strengths and areas of growth, using the R.O.R. Model™ (Review – Observe – Reflect).
How is the Candidate scored?
- the Candidate distributes and collects Family Questionnaires;
- the Candidate prepares a Professional Portfolio following the outlined requirements, collects documentation, & writes a Professional Philosophy statement and 6 Reflective Statements of Competence;
- the Candidate is observed working with children;
- the Candidate completes an exam (at one of the PearsonVUE testing locations).
During the Verification Visit, the Specialist determines Recommendation scores in each of the thirteen Functional Areas, using a combination of Portfolio evidence and observable criteria.
The Specialist submits the Recommendations to the Council online. These recommendations, along with the Exam score, are combined by the Council into a final Cumulative Score that will determine the credentialing decision.
Did Competency Goals & Functional Areas change?
No, as the cornerstone of the CDA Assessment Process, both the six Competency Goals and the 13 Functional Areas remain the same.
Is the new system only for the center-based preschool setting?
The new system applies to the following settings: preschool, infant/toddler, family child care, and bilingual endorsement in all these settings.
How much will it cost?
The CDA assessment fee remains $325 until August 31, 2013. Staring September 1, 2013, the CDA assessment fee will be $425.
I heard something about "partnerships". How can community colleges "partner" with the Council?
The Council is ready to partner with local, county and state community college systems. Together we will simplify the CDA process for your students by incorporating your curricula and instructors into the process.
For more information, please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
How will the final decision be determined?
Credentialing decisions have always been and continue being based on a combination of many sources of evidence including the observation, exam score and written materials submitted by the Candidate. Once the PD Specialist submits the Competency Recommendation Scores online to the Council, they are combined with the Exam score sent from the PearsonVUE testing site, to create the final Cumulative Score. This Cumulative Score determines the credentialing decision.
What materials are available to help me through the new process?
The Council released the new Competency Standards books. They offer complete details about the new CDA process.
Essentials is being rewritten and is expected to be released mid 2013. Additional assessment support materials for training organizations are under development and will be announced on the website and in the Council newsletter.
Will the Renewal policy change in the new system?
Yes. All Credentials awarded after June 1, 2013 are now valid for three years from the award date. There will be no renewal grace period. The renewal fee will be $100 starting September 1st. Candidates who apply online for their CDA renewal will receive a discount and will pay a $75 renewal fee.
CDA Exam
Why use PearsonVUE?
In order to create a more powerful professional development experience for Candidates and a more focused use of the time and expertise of Council Representatives, the Council decided to free up the time they spent proctoring the exam, to instead observe and reflect with each Candidate as "CDA PD Specialists".
PearsonVUE was selected because they have testing centers all over the United States.
Is the exam be harder?
The new CDA Exam includes the same number of questions as the current Early Childhood Studies Review – 60 multiple choice questions and 5 scenario questions. The questions were written by subject matter and testing experts to reflect current best practices in early childhood education. The main difference is that it is no longer administered by the CDA Representative but, instead, taken at a testing center.
What days are the PearsonVUE test centers open?
Availability varies from test center to test center. Pearson says that as a general rule, the centers are open Monday through Friday during the normal work hours; however, a handful have opted to stay open on weekends. You should go to the PearsonVUE website to locate sites near you and then check their individual hours of operation.
http://www.pearsonvue.com/cdaexam/
R.O.R. Model™ / Verification Visit
What is the R.O.R. Model™?
"R.O.R." stands for Review – Observe - Reflect. These are the tasks undertaken by the CDA Professional Development Specialist. They contribute to the assessment of the Candidate's competency.
During the Verification Visit, the Specialist:
- Reviews the contents of the Professional Portfolio, the training transcripts/certificates and Parent Questionnaires
- Observes the Candidate working with children, recording criterion evidence where applicable, and
- Reflects with the Candidate, focusing on the Candidate's areas of strength or growth found in the Portfolio and/or seen in the Observation
What is the Professional Portfolio?
(Formerly the Professional Resource File) In the updated system, the Candidate compiles their materials to create their Professional Portfolio. The Portfolio is composed of:
- A Professional Philosophy Statement
- Six (6) Reflective Statements of Competence
- Ten (10) Resources
Will Parent Questionnaires still be included in the Assessment System?
Parent opinions have always been a valuable part of certifying teacher competency. Family Questionnaires will be collected and delivered in a sealed envelope to the PD Specialist for review during the Verification Visit.
CDA Professional Development Specialist
What is the PD Specialist?
The Council Representative and Advisor roles have been converted into one role - the CDA Professional Development Specialist. The PD Specialist adopts many of the tasks of Rep and Advisor, maximizing the skills, knowledge and experience of advanced early childhood professionals to better utilize their time and skills for each Candidate.The PD Specialist is the professional who brings to the table the mentoring/coaching skills and ECE expertise needed to stimulate the Candidate's self-reflection in their professional development process – a perfect fit for active Council Reps.
What is the PD Specialist be responsible for?
The PD Specialist:
- Reviews the Candidate's Professional Portfolio, training transcripts/certificates and Parent Questionnaires
- Observes the Candidate working with children and record criterion evidence
- Reflects with the Candidate, focusing on areas of strength or growth found in the Portfolio or seen in the Observation.
- Submits the Competency Recommendation Scores to the Council that contribute to the final credentialing decision.
When are the PD Specialists expected to observe Candidates?
The Observation should take place on the regular program day during a time period, mutually agreed upon, when the PD Specialist will have the greatest opportunity to observe the Candidate as the primary caregiver working with a group of children.
The PD Specialist, working with the Candidate, has the flexibility to schedule the Review session and Reflection session of the Verification Visit (one hour each) immediately after the Observation, later in the day or on another day that week (for example, on a Saturday).
Is the PD Specialist be compensated?
Yes. Specialist is paid $100 per Candidate. The PD Specialist may not charge the Candidate any fees.
Who is eligible to be a PD Specialist?
Please visit the PD Specialist page for details. We encourage any qualified person to consider being a CDA PD Specialist. In addition, Specialists must have access to the Internet and an active email account.
Is there training to prepare PD Specialist for the new CDA Assessment Process?
Yes! The PD Specialist training is offered free of charge for the first year of the training program. Please visit the PD Specialist information site for details.
