The CDA is a performance-based Credential, and the Council needs to know how Candidates perform in real-life professional situations with young children. CDA Advisors observe Candidates directly as they serve as lead teachers with a group of young children. They use the CDA Assessment Observation Instrument to score the Candidate’s performance. The professional judgment of the CDA Advisor is critical in determining if a Candidate is qualified to be a CDA.
Becomming a CDA Advisor
Any ECE professional can serve as a CDA Advisor as long as they meet the eligibility requirements.
A CDA Advisor’s main tasks include:
- Conduct a formal observation of the Candidate for a minimum of three consecutive hours.
- Evaluate the Candidate’s performance using the CDA Assessment Observation Instrument.
- Seal the Observation Instrument in an envelope and deliver it to the Candidate.
- Complete the CDA Advisor’s Statement as part of the Candidate’s application.
Once an ECE professional agrees to serve as a CDA Advisor, the Candidate will provide that CDA Advisor the Observation Instrument and the setting-specific Competency Standards booklet. These materials will have further instructions on conducting the observation.
If you are serving as an Advisor for a Candidate who is applying online, you will need to give the Candidate an ID number. Sign up for an ID number by clicking here.
Below is a quick overview of some important information about CDA Advisors:
Identifying a CDA Advisor
Candidates must identify an early childhood professional who is willing to serve as an Advisor and who meets the Advisor qualifications. For example, a Candidate may select a Program Director, a trainer, an Education Coordinator, a site supervisor, or a college instructor. The Council also operates an optional CDA Advisor Registry to assist those Candidates who are having difficulty identifying an Advisor. If you would like to be added to the CDA Advisor Registry, please read the Advisor Registry Packet , fill out the consent form, and mail it to the Council.
Scheduling the Observation
Candidates are asked to arrange observation times with their CDA Advisors. Some CDA Advisors can complete the observation in one session; some need multiple sessions. Each session needs to be at least 3 consecutive hours long so that the CDA Advisor has an opportunity to see the Candidate perform over a sustained period of time.
Time Frame
The observation must be completed within six months before the date the Candidate submits her or his application.
Training Candidates
CDA Advisors are not required to train Candidates, although many CDA Advisors do serve as trainers. Remember, however, that during the official observation, CDA Advisors are not allowed to share or give feedback to the Candidate.
Confidentiality
CDA Advisors are asked not to share or give feedback to anyone (including the Candidate) about the official observation. When you have completed the Observation Instrument, you are asked to seal it in an envelope before delivering it to the Candidate.
Bilingual Candidates (Spanish/English)
The CDA Advisor may use the Spanish or English version of the Observation Instrument, and may complete it in either language or a combination of both languages. However, the information provided needs to reflect the bilingual work of the Candidate.
Monolingual Candidates (Spanish only)
The CDA Advisor must use the Spanish Observation Instrument and all information must be written in Spanish.
Bilingual or Monolingual Candidates (other than Spanish)
If you are serving as an Advisor for a Candidate who is applying for a monolingual or bilingual assessment in a language other than Spanish, please make sure your Candidate has secured a language waiver from the Council. You need to be able to speak, read, write, understand, and be understood in the other language and in English.
