Professional Standards – Professional Learning (CA Dept of Education)

California has many sets of standards and expectations to guide policies, programs, and personnel effectiveness. Each set of standards serves a unique function and are complementary to the other standard sets.
Student curriculum content standards,
teacher External link opens in new window or tab. (PDF) and
administrator External link opens in new window or tab. (PDF) performance expectations, and
professional learning standards work in tandem with student content standards that establish an outcome for professional learning, increasing educators’ capacity to assist students in reaching expected learning outcomes.

  • Quality Professional Learning Standards
    Quality professional learning standards identify characteristics of professional learning that are most likely to support educators in building individual and collective capacity to meet professional, school, and
    student performance expectations.
  • California Standards for the Teaching ProfessionExternal link opens in new window or tab. (PDF)

    (PDF)


    Address the diversity of students and teachers in California schools today, and they reflect a holistic, developmental view of teaching.

  • California Professional Standards for Educational LeadersExternal link opens in new window or tab. (PDF)

    (PDF)


    Provide quality standards for site and district leaders in order to help establish a framework for preparation, professional learning, certification, and assessments.

  • Educator Evaluation Systems
    Information for districts, the general public, and interested parties who wish to learn more about teacher and principal evaluation at the local, state, and national levels.
  • Peer Assistance and Review
    Information for districts, the general public, and interested parties who wish to learn more about the use of the Peer Assistance and Review (PAR) process at the local, state, and national levels.

Educator Excellence and Equity Grant Programs

Information regarding competitive grant programs administered by the CDE to support teachers and leaders to provide high-quality instruction so that all students can learn and thrive.

Additional Resources

  • National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
    The California Department of Education (CDE) actively supports teachers in their efforts to achieve advanced certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).

Questions: Teacher and Leader Policy Office | [email protected] | 916-445-7331

Last Reviewed: Thursday, March 10, 2022