Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST): DepEd Order No. 42, s. 2017 Explained

The Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST) is a public statement of what teachers need to know, value, and be able to do in their practice. It was adopted nationwide through DepEd Order No. 42, s. 2017. This guide explains what the PPST contains, how it was developed, and how it is used in teacher assessment, in a question-and-answer format.

On this page 6 sections

DepEd Order No. 42, s. 2017 at a glance

• What it does: It sets the national adoption and implementation of the PPST.
• Signed: August 11, 2017, by DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis-Briones.
• What it replaces: The National Competency-Based Teacher Standards (NCBTS), which the PPST builds on.
• Structure of the PPST: Seven domains, 37 strands, and 37 indicators for each of four career stages.

How the PPST is used

According to DO No. 42, s. 2017, the PPST “shall be used as a basis for all learning and development programs for teachers to ensure that teachers are properly equipped to effectively implement the K to 12 Program.” The order also states that:

• All teacher performance appraisals shall be aligned with the PPST.
• The PPST can be used for the selection and promotion of teachers.

Beyond these, the PPST can be used in:

1. Endorsing programs for initial teacher education
2. Registering and accrediting teachers
3. Raising the quality of professional learning
4. Identifying and recognizing exemplary, high-level practice
5. Developing standards for leadership
6. Establishing a consistent evaluation and assessment process for each career stage that preserves the integrity of the PPST
7. Maintaining an efficient documentation process for the achievement of indicators across career stages

Development of the PPST

Why was the PPST developed?

The PPST came out of major consultations with key stakeholders, especially senior DepEd officials. These consultations called for rethinking the NCBTS because of changes brought by national and global frameworks such as the K to 12 Reform and ASEAN Integration, as well as globalization and the changing character of 21st-century learners.

Why focus on teacher quality?

Internationally, teacher quality is expressed through teacher standards, and the PPST serves as the Philippine framework for teacher quality and teacher development. Evidence shows that good teachers are vital to raising student achievement: quality learning depends on quality teaching. Improving teacher quality is therefore important for long-term, sustainable nation building.

Does the PPST replace the NCBTS?

Yes. The PPST replaced the NCBTS when DepEd Order No. 42, s. 2017 was signed into policy.

How was the PPST developed?

• DepEd, through the Joint Advisory Board chaired by the Secretary of Education, approved the development and validation of developmental teacher standards with distinct career stages.
• The Philippine National Research Center for Teacher Quality (RCTQ), based at the Philippine Normal University, led the research and development work, with support from the SiMERR National Research Centre in Australia.
• DepEd Regional Directors, Bureau Directors, and selected teachers finalized the PPST in a workshop organized by the Teacher Education Council and supported by the Basic Education Sector Transformation (BEST) program.

Who was involved?

Over three years, more than 10,000 pre-service and in-service teachers, principals, supervisors, DepEd Regional Directors, and other educators from all regions took part in developing and validating the PPST. The Reference Panel also included other government agencies (such as the Professional Regulation Commission, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Civil Service Commission) and non-government organizations (such as Philippine Business for Education and the Foundation for Upgrading the Standard of Education).

Who funded it?

The PPST project was funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), which supports the Research Center for Teacher Quality.

Important features of the PPST

The PPST captures teacher quality requirements under K to 12. Among others, it gives focus to:

• Mother tongue to support teaching and learning
• Learners in difficult circumstances
• Strategies for promoting literacy and numeracy
• Positive use of ICT
• Classroom communication strategies

Its first domain, Content Knowledge and Pedagogy, is at the core of the K to 12 Program. It sends teachers the message that to be considered quality teachers, they should know what to teach and how to teach it.

The seven domains and what they expect of teachers

Domain	What teachers are expected to do
1. Content Knowledge and Pedagogy	Know what to teach and how to teach it
2. Learning Environment	Maintain a learning-focused environment
3. Diversity of Learners	Respond to learner diversity
4. Curriculum and Planning	Plan and design effective instruction
5. Assessment and Reporting	Use a variety of assessment tools to inform and improve teaching and learning
6. Community Linkages and Professional Engagement	Build community relationships and uphold professional ethics
7. Personal Growth and Professional Development	Engage in professional reflection and take responsibility for their own professional learning

The four career stages

Each career stage has 37 indicators that show developmental progression from beginning to distinguished practice.

• Career Stage 1: Beginning Teachers have gained the qualifications recognized for entry into the teaching profession. They are supported to reach Career Stage 2 within two to three years.
• Career Stage 2: Proficient Teachers are professionally independent in applying skills vital to teaching and learning. This stage is the acceptable standard for all teachers and should be reached within the first two or three years of teaching.
• Career Stage 3: Highly Proficient Teachers consistently perform at a high level. They are accomplished practitioners who mentor and work collegially with other staff. Master Teachers are expected to be at this stage.
• Career Stage 4: Distinguished Teachers embody the highest standards for teaching, grounded in global best practice. They are recognized as leaders in education, contributors to the profession, and initiators of collaborations and partnerships.

Why career stages matter

Describing standards (in the PPST, the indicators) at different career stages provides a “framework for the teacher development continuum” (OECD, 2005). Anchored on lifelong learning, the PPST recognizes that teachers grow, refine their practice, and respond to the complexities of educational reform over time.

Teacher assessment based on the PPST

Are there PPST-based assessment tools?

Yes. RCTQ developed teacher assessment tools with the DepEd Bureau of Human Resource and Organization Development (BHROD), supported by the BEST program. These rigorously validated tools are:

1. Self-Assessment Tools (SAT)
2. Classroom Observation Tools (COT)
3. Results-based Performance Management System (RPMS) Tools for Teachers

Is the PPST a rubric?

No. The PPST is not a rubric and is not itself a tool for assessing teacher performance. It is a framework on which support tools such as self-assessment tools, classroom observation tools, and RPMS tools can be based.

Can schools make their own PPST-based tools?

Yes, as long as the tools are based on the PPST, as DepEd Order No. 42, s. 2017 requires. Keep in mind that locally produced tools are unlikely to be validated, which may raise questions about the reliability and credibility of their results.

Will teachers be assessed on all indicators?

No. Teachers do not need to be assessed on indicators that do not apply in their school context, for example indicators about learners from indigenous groups in a school that has none. For pre-service teachers, however, Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) are expected to train them on all indicators so they are ready for various teaching contexts.

How can competencies be measured objectively?

The RPMS Tools based on the PPST have specific means of verification (MOV) for the 12 indicators of the PPST they cover. The Classroom Observation Tools give specific examples of classroom practice to guide observers.

Will PPST assessment tools be used for hiring and promotion?

At the time this guide was first written, policies on using PPST assessment tools for hiring and promotion were yet to be developed.

Frequently asked questions