The North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards are the basis for teacher preparation, teacher evaluation, and professional development. Colleges and universities are changing their programs; a new teacher evaluation instrument has been created; and professional development is taking on a new look based on these Standards. Each of these will include the skills and knowledge needed for 21st century teaching and learning. The Standards are provided in the following format so that these pages may be kept in a plan book to guide instruction as we move forward in the 21st century