Commission on Teacher Credentialing launches PK-3 credential and adopts revised teaching standards

The CSTP were originally developed and adopted in the 1990s and most recently updated in 2009. The standards describe the set of knowledge, skills and abilities characteristic of accomplished professional practice at the level expected of effective veteran teachers.

“This item supports our recently adopted strategic plan,” CTC Chair Marquita Grenot-Scheyer said. “Driven by equity and justice, California’s educators engage in culturally sustaining practices to create learning opportunities that promote each student’s academic, social, emotional and physical growth. This North Star guides what we do around this table and what our colleagues do as they prepare the next generation of educators, and the 2024 draft CSTP are an integral part of this work. Rigorous preparation for future educators is essential so that they can teach our children and grandchildren well so in the future they may develop and become competent, informed and caring citizens.”

The CSTP are organized within six overarching and interrelated domains of teaching:

1. Engaging and supporting all students in learning
2. Creating and maintaining effective environments for student learning
3. Understanding and organizing subject matter for student learning
4. Planning instruction and designing learning experiences for all students
5. Assessing students for learning
6. Developing as a professional educator

In accordance with the periodic CSTP updating process outlined in Education Code section 44279.2, in August 2020, commission staff presented information about the application and selection process for an expert workgroup to update and revise the CSTP. The workgroup’s recommendations were released for public review in January 2021 and feedback was analyzed by the group. At this point, there was a pause in the workflow to focus on COVID-mitigation measures and the PK-3 credential.

In July 2023, the original workgroup was asked to come back together to have a final look at the 2020 draft CSTP. In advance of the workgroup meeting, the 2020 draft CSTP were reviewed by members expert in several key focus areas including literacy; English learners; early childhood education; special education; social-emotional wellness; and diversity, equity and inclusion. The feedback from these experts was provided to workgroup members to consider in their final review and revision and resulted in the development of the draft 2024 CSTP.

A side-by-side comparison of the draft 2024 and the 2009 CSTP is provided here: csba.pub/3uZgqkF.

Public comment was unanimously in favor of the new standards with many of teachers excited about an update to fit today’s students and learning environment. “I’m a 25-year veteran educator in the Escondido Union School District and a senior fellow with Teach Plus,” said Wendy Threatt. “I want to express my very enthusiastic support for the proposed revised CSTP. The expert workgroup’s continual effort to develop those standards that serve as a strong foundation to effectively teach and grow as educational professionals is very apparent in the language of these standards. These new standards require a culturally responsive, equitable and very holistic approach to teaching and learning. I’m looking forward to using these standards when I am evaluated by my principal because they really do show and will help support my growth and development as a teacher, even after 25 years. However, in order for these standards to truly support teaching and learning, we feel a more supportive implementation and rollout needs to be developed.”

The revised CSTP was adopted with instruction to staff to re-examine their recommendation of providing technical assistance for the implementation for just one year, echoing concerns from the field.