The Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential
Section outline
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The CDA national credentialing program is a professional development opportunity for educators working in a variety of settings with children ages birth to 5 years old and their families to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities in the early childhood education field. The program is designed to assess and credential early childhood education professionals using multiple sources of evidence, including an exam, observation, and a professional portfolio. By earning a CDA credential in any of the settings (center-based infant-toddler, center-based preschool), an educator demonstrates a commitment to career advancement and professionalism.
CDA website: https://www.cdacouncil.org/en/
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Defines the steps of the credentialing process and benefits to students.
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Discusses the career path for high school students and the program benefits of the CDA for both students and faculty.
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The required coursework and work experience for the CDA credential can be completed in a 2 year program of study with dual enrollment of FCS courses.
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The required coursework and work experience for the CDA credential can be completed in a 3 year program of study of FCS courses.
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Explains the requirements and benefits of a CDA Certification gained through high school courses.
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