Candidates for the CDA demonstrate their competence through the preparation of portfolios and are assessed by parents,
a trainer/supervisor, and an independent observer. The CDA credential is awarded to teachers who are judged competent. In the early years, few teachers applied for or received the credential because early childhood programs seldom gave additional compensation to teachers with a certificate. However, the program has gradually expanded; since 1990, as a part of the efforts of the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition, it has experienced considerable growth. Its value to the quality of children’s programs has been increasingly recognized (Kontos et al., 1997), and it is now required by Head Start. Currently the council provides an assessment and credentialing process for teachers in three settings—center-based, family child care, and home visitor—with endorsements for working with infants or toddlers, preschool, and bilingual children.