As of June 2026, the transition to DRDP (2025) is no longer a future planning item. For many early learning programs, this is the final preparation window before DRDP (2025) begins in July 2026.
The California Department of Education states that California State Preschool Programs are required to implement DRDP (2025) beginning July 1, 2026. The Desired Results system also states that the DRDP (2025) Infant/Toddler, Preschool/TK/Kindergarten, and Preschool through Third Grade views are for use beginning July 2026, with DRDP Online for DRDP (2025) available beginning July 2026.
For programs using DRDP, the transition is about more than updating an assessment tool. It is an opportunity to review how educators collect evidence, document learning, support families, and use assessment information to inform teaching.
The biggest DRDP (2025) question is not only what changed. It is how programs can implement the update without creating more work for educators.
That is where clear workflows, practical training, and the right documentation systems become important.
Preparing for DRDP (2025)? Talk to Educa about simplifying documentation, assessment, and family engagement in one connected workflow.
In this article
- What is DRDP (2025)?
- When does DRDP (2025) start?
- Who should prepare for DRDP (2025)?
- What changed from DRDP (2015)?
- The real challenge: educator workload
- DRDP (2025) readiness checklist
- How Educa supports DRDP-aligned documentation
- FAQ: DRDP (2025)
What is DRDP (2025)?
The Desired Results Developmental Profile, commonly known as DRDP, is a formative assessment instrument used to observe and document children’s learning and development over time.
The Desired Results system describes DRDP (2025) as a formative assessment instrument developed by the California Department of Education and the California Department of Social Services for young children and their families. It is used to inform instruction and program development.
In everyday practice, DRDP helps programs:
- observe children in authentic learning experiences
- document evidence of children’s development
- connect observations to developmental measures
- support curriculum planning
- understand children’s progress over time
- inform program improvement and reporting
At its best, DRDP is not separate from teaching. It grows out of real classroom moments, educator observations, and meaningful documentation.
When does DRDP (2025) start?
DRDP (2025) begins in July 2026 for the main IT, PTK, and P-3 views. DRDP Online for DRDP (2025) is also available beginning July 2026, according to the Desired Results system.
The CDE states that California State Preschool Programs are required to implement DRDP (2025) beginning July 1, 2026. Programs with children requiring a second assessment in July or August should review the CDE guidance carefully, as the CDE recommends using the same DRDP version used for the initial assessment to measure growth over time, then transitioning to DRDP (2025) after that assessment.
Who should prepare for DRDP (2025)?
Programs using DRDP today should review their transition plan now. Requirements can vary by program type, funding source, state, district, or agency, so programs should always confirm their obligations with the relevant authority.
The CDE states that DRDP is required for:
- all California State Preschool Program children enrolled at least 10 hours per week
- every child with exceptional needs enrolled in CSPP, regardless of certified hours
- three-, four-, and five-year-old students served by LEAs with an IEP or IFSP, including in TK and kindergarten
Programs outside California that currently use DRDP should check with their state, district, Head Start agency, or approving body to confirm their own adoption timeline and requirements.
This is especially important for agencies, districts, Head Start organizations, and multi-site providers coordinating implementation across teams.
What changed from DRDP (2015) to DRDP (2025)?
DRDP (2025) keeps many familiar elements of DRDP while updating the framework to better reflect current research, inclusion, and educator workload concerns.
Three DRDP (2025) views
The CDE lists three DRDP (2025) views:
- Infant/Toddler (IT)
- Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten, Kindergarten (PTK)
- Preschool through Third Grade (P-3)
Programs should confirm which view applies to each setting, age group, funding requirement, and reporting context.
Alignment with updated learning foundations
DRDP (2025) aligns with the updated Infant and Toddler Learning and Development Foundations and the Preschool/Transitional Kindergarten Learning Foundations. This helps connect assessment more clearly to curriculum planning, classroom practice, and developmental expectations.
Fewer measures
One important update is a reduction in the total number of measures. The CDE explains that this is intended to address educator burden and focus on the most important skills.
This does not mean programs should narrow what they teach. The CDE notes that educators are still expected to include all skills covered in the relevant learning foundations, even if a skill no longer appears as a DRDP measure.
More inclusive language and examples
DRDP (2025) includes more inclusive descriptors and examples for children with disabilities, including children who demonstrate skills non-verbally, use mobility aids, use sign language, or use augmentative and alternative communication supports.
It also includes more examples of children’s speech in languages other than English, including code-switching.
Stronger developmental continuity
The CDE notes that the Social and Emotional Development and Approaches to Learning continua have been extended through third grade. This supports a more connected view of children’s growth across early childhood and the early elementary years.
The real challenge: implementing DRDP without adding educator workload
For administrators and educators, the biggest DRDP (2025) question may not be technical. It is practical.
Educators are already balancing documentation, family communication, curriculum planning, assessment, reporting, and daily classroom responsibilities. If DRDP implementation requires them to document in one system, assess in another, and communicate somewhere else, the transition can quickly become another source of pressure.
That is why programs should review their current workflow before DRDP (2025) implementation.
Useful questions include:
- Can educators document observations naturally during the day?
- Can photos, videos, notes, and learning stories become assessment evidence?
- Can evidence be connected directly to DRDP measures?
- Can group observations and individual observations both be captured?
- Can administrators see progress without chasing manual updates?
- Can families remain connected to the learning being documented?
- Can reporting requirements be met without duplicate data entry?
A successful transition should make DRDP easier to use in daily practice, not harder.
DRDP (2025) readiness checklist for early learning programs
- Confirm which DRDP view applies
Review whether your program will use the Infant/Toddler, PTK, or P-3 view. This may depend on children’s ages, classroom type, funding requirements, state or district expectations, and whether children are served through an IEP or IFSP. - Review current documentation practices
Look at how educators currently collect evidence. Are observations written separately from learning stories? Are photos stored in one place and assessment notes in another? Are educators repeating the same information across multiple systems? The transition to DRDP (2025) is a good time to simplify. - Prepare staff training early
The Desired Results FAQ notes that WestEd offers free in-person and virtual DRDP (2025) training, along with observation practice videos, tutorials, and DRDP YouTube resources. Programs should plan training before educators are expected to complete ratings. - Review technology and vendor support
If your program uses a DRDP vendor, confirm whether DRDP (2025) will be supported and when. The Desired Results FAQ advises programs to contact vendors directly for platform readiness updates. - Plan for DRDP Online submission
The Desired Results vendor page explains that licensed vendors may support collection of DRDP assessment observations, submit ratings for scoring, receive scaled scores, and replicate reports. Ratings collected by a licensed vendor must still be submitted to DRDP Online for scoring through manual upload or API. - Protect historical data
Before changing workflows or systems, review how current and historical DRDP evidence, ratings, and reports will be archived or submitted. This is especially important for programs moving from DRDP (2015) to DRDP (2025). - Communicate expectations clearly
Educators should know what is changing, what is staying familiar, what training will be provided, how evidence should be collected, how ratings will be completed, and where to get support.
Align leadership teams on timelines, expectations, training responsibilities, and reporting processes before educators are expected to complete ratings.
How Educa supports DRDP-aligned documentation and assessment
Educa is listed as an active DRDP licensed vendor by the Desired Results system.
Educa supports DRDP-aligned documentation and assessment workflows by helping programs connect authentic learning documentation with assessment, curriculum planning, family engagement, and program visibility.
Within Educa, educators can document learning through stories, observations, photos, videos, and notes, then connect documentation to DRDP-aligned assessment workflows as part of regular classroom practice.
This helps programs move away from a fragmented process where educators document in one place, assess in another, and communicate with families somewhere else.
Instead, Educa supports a more connected approach:
- educators capture meaningful learning moments
- observations can support assessment evidence
- families stay connected to children’s learning
- leaders gain visibility across classrooms and programs
- documentation supports planning, reflection, and reporting
For DRDP (2025), this matters because the quality of implementation depends on more than knowing the new framework. It depends on making the framework usable in daily classroom practice.
Implementation Note: Programs planning their DRDP (2025) transition should speak with Educa about readiness, implementation planning, and available workflow support for their specific setting.
DRDP (2025) is an opportunity to improve assessment practice
The move to DRDP (2025) should not be treated as a compliance-only update.
It is a chance to strengthen authentic assessment, reduce duplicate documentation, and give educators better support.
Programs that start preparing now will be better placed to:
- train educators with confidence
- reduce last-minute implementation pressure
- improve documentation quality
- support children with disabilities and dual language learners
- connect assessment to teaching and family engagement
- make DRDP part of everyday learning documentation
The best DRDP systems are not built around paperwork. They are built around children’s real learning experiences.
FAQ: DRDP (2025)
What is DRDP (2025)?
DRDP (2025) is the updated Desired Results Developmental Profile. It is a formative assessment instrument used to observe and document children’s development across early learning settings.
When does DRDP (2025) start?
The DRDP (2025) IT, PTK, and P-3 views are for use beginning July 2026. DRDP Online for DRDP (2025) is also available beginning July 2026.
Is DRDP (2025) required in California?
The CDE states that California State Preschool Programs are required to implement DRDP (2025) beginning July 1, 2026. Other requirements depend on program type, funding source, district, agency, and child eligibility.
What are the main DRDP (2025) views?
The three main views are Infant/Toddler, Preschool/TK/Kindergarten, and Preschool through Third Grade.
What changed from DRDP (2015) to DRDP (2025)?
Key changes include fewer measures, updated developmental progressions, alignment with updated California learning foundations, more inclusive language and examples, more multilingual examples, and extended Social and Emotional Development and Approaches to Learning continua through third grade.
Does DRDP (2025) have fewer measures?
Yes. The CDE explains that DRDP (2025) reduces the total number of measures to address educator burden and focus on the most important skills.
Does fewer measures mean educators should teach fewer skills?
No. The CDE notes that educators are still expected to include all skills covered in the relevant learning foundations, even if a skill no longer appears as a DRDP measure.
Is Educa a DRDP licensed vendor?
Yes. Educa is listed as an active DRDP licensed vendor by the Desired Results system.
How can programs prepare for DRDP (2025)?
Programs should confirm which DRDP view applies, review documentation workflows, plan staff training, check vendor readiness, prepare for DRDP Online submission, protect historical data, and communicate expectations clearly with educators.
Ready to prepare for DRDP (2025)?
DRDP (2025) begins in July 2026, but the transition does not need to create more work for educators.
Educa helps early learning programs connect documentation, assessment, curriculum planning, family engagement, and program visibility in one workflow.
To discuss your DRDP transition strategy, connect with the Educa team.
Important note
Requirements and timelines can vary by program type, funding source, state, district, or agency. Programs should confirm their obligations with the relevant authority and refer to official DRDP, CDE, CDSS, and Desired Results guidance
Official DRDP Resources
- California Department of Education – Desired Results Developmental Profile: https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/ci/desiredresults.asp
- Desired Results – DRDP (2025): https://www.desiredresults.us/drdp-2025
- Desired Results – DRDP Licensed Vendors: https://www.desiredresults.us/drdp-online/drdp-licensed-vendors
- Desired Results – DRDP (2025) Training: https://www.desiredresults.us/professional-development/drdp-2025-training
