This framework defines a vision of the knowledge, skills, and abilities that should characterize California's beginning teachers in their initial years of service. Discussion and development of the framework are part of the California New Teacher Project, a pilot study of policy alternatives to enhance the success of novice teachers. Following a description of several qualities of teaching that are part of the new vision for the profession (a developmental view, a holistic vision, and diversity of teaching in California), the framework is organized in two parts: subject matter constructs and pedagogical constructs. The essence of the framework, is a set of six domains and subdomains that represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities of California teachers: (1) demonstrating knowledge of the teacher's content area(s); (2) planning and designing instruction; (3) organizing and managing the classroom; (4) delivering instruction to all students; (5) diagnosing and evaluating student learning; and (6) participating in or creating a learning community. Each domain or subdomain is broken down into more specific constructs with examples of indicators at both beginning teacher and expert teacher levels that are intended to communicate the meaning of the constructs. (Contains 19 references.) (LL)