The Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers, which is built on NCBTS, complements the reform initiatives on teacher quality from pre-service education to in-service training. It articulates what constitutes teacher quality in the K to 12 Reform through well-defined domains, strands, and indicators that provide measures of professional learning, competent practice, and effective engagement. This set of standards makes explicit what teachers should know, be able to do and value to achieve competence, improved student learning outcomes, and eventually quality education. It is founded on teaching philosophies of learner-centeredness, lifelong learning, and inclusivity/inclusiveness, among others. The professional standards, therefore, become a public statement of professional accountability that can help teachers reflect on and assess their own practices as they aspire for personal growth and professional development.
The Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (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. It can also be used for the selection and promotion of teachers. All performance appraisals for teachers shall be based on this set of standards. DepEd Order No. 42, S. 2017 stipulates the national adoption and implementation of the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST). The Order was signed on August 11, 2017 by DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis-Briones. The PPST is a public statement of what teachers need to know, value, and be able to do in their practice. It has four career stages: Beginning, Proficient, Highly Proficient, and Distinguished. It is built on the National Competency-based Teacher Standards (NCBTS). It comprises seven Domains and 37 Strands, and 37 Indicators for each Career Stage. Evidence show unequivocally those good teachers are vital to raising student achievement, i.e., quality learning is contingent upon quality teaching. Hence, enhancing teacher quality becomes of utmost importance for long-term and sustainable nation-building.