Behavioral criteria for (1) determining child development associate (CDA) trainee competency, (2) awarding college credit, and (3) designing individualized learning programs in CDA competency areas 2, 4, and 6 are provided in this report of an applied research project. Designed to interrelate CDA and Cooperative Assessment of Experiential Learning (CAEL) evaluation orientations, the behavioral criteria adopted are organized in terms of three levels of competency (knowledge, application, evaluation) in three skills areas (informational, interpersonal, psychomotor). The lists of criteria are included in appended material. The major portion of the report consists of five chapters that present background information on Project Head Start and the CDA program; review literature relevant to CDA training and assessment; the CAEL program, and competency-based education; describe procedures and outcomes of the project; and provide discussions of issues, implications and recommendations. Additional related material is provided in appendices. (Author/RH)