2014 Annual Certification & Program Officials Drive-In

Conference

Agenda

Tiered Certification Structure Overview

Pre-Service Certification

Certificate of Eligibility

Induction Pathway 1 and 2

Advanced and Lead Professional Certification

Questions

Tiered Certification Structure Overview

TIER

1

TIER

2

TIER

3

TIER

4

Professional

Advanced & Lead Professional

Induction

Pre-Service

Pre-Service Certification

The Pre-Service certificate is required beginning 7/1/15 for individuals admitted to initial teacher preparation programs who will be completing student teaching in a Georgia school.

To qualify for the Pre-Service certificate, an applicant must:

Be admitted to a state-approved educator preparation program in Georgia, any other U.S. state, or online which (1) leads to the Induction certificate and (2) requires field experiences or clinical practice including student teaching in Georgia schools

Have the educator preparation provider (EPP) request the Pre-Service certificate

Have a successful Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) criminal record

Complete the Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment – Program Entry (350). A passing score is not required for issuance of the Pre-Service certificate. Candidates enrolled in OOS preparation programs must pass the GACE Educator Ethics Assessment – Program Exit (360).

Pre-Service Certification

Pre-Service certificate applications and supporting documents must be submitted by the EPP using ExpressLane.

The following are required for issuance of the Pre-Service certificate: GaPSC Application GACE PAA scores or exemption scores* Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment – Program Entry (350) score report. For OOS program candidates, the Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment – Program Exit (360) is required.* VLP affidavit (signed and notarized with only one option selected) and proper identification document

*GACE score reports will be reported to the GaPSC electronically from ETS. Paper score reports will not be accepted and need not be submitted.

Upon receipt of the above documents, Certification staff will verify test results and VLP. The case will then be referred to the Ethics Division for completion of the GCIC criminal record check.

Pre-Service Certification

The Pre-Service Certificate is not required for:

Candidates in Service or Leadership field programs

Candidates who hold a valid Non-Renewable (professional or non-professional), Induction or Professional certificate

Certificate of Eligibility

The Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is issued to candidates who have completed an approved educator preparation program, but lack employment in a GA Local Unit of Administration (LUA).

GA program completers submitting complete applications on or before 8/31/14 were grandfathered and issued a Professional certificate (SRT)

Effective 9/1/14, the COE for IN1 (GA programs) or IN2 (OOS programs) is issued if all requirements are met

Application and Employer Assurance form are required for issuance of an Induction certificate upon employment

Certificate of Eligibility

The following documents are required for the COE:

GaPSC Application for Certification

VLP documentation (if not already on file)

Official transcripts from all colleges attended

GaPSC Approved Program Completion form

GACE PAA scores or exemption scores (for GA program completers only)

GACE content/subject area assessment score report

Certificate of Eligibility

Valid for 5 years

May be reissued if COE expires before gaining employment with an LUA, but an updated Approved Program Completion form would be required

Issued to unemployed individuals who meet all other requirements for: Induction (Pathway 1, 2, or 3) or Professional

Induction Certificate

For early career teachers with less than 3 years of acceptable experience.

Issued at the request of an employing GA LUA • If not employed, a Certificate of Eligibility can be issued

Individuals holding a valid NNT will be issued a Standard Professional upon program completion. We will honor our letters for 5 years from the date of issuance.

Induction Pathway 1

For completers of GA Teacher Preparation Programs

Additional Requirements: Pass the GACE content assessment Complete an Exceptional Child course Pass or exempt the Program Admission Assessment Pass the Ethics – Program Exit Assessment (for programs completed after December 31, 2014) • 2014 completers must submit complete application packets

before March 1, 2015 in order to exempt the Ethics assessment.

Pass edTPA if student teaching is completed after September 1, 2015

Induction Pathway 2

For completers of out-of-state teacher preparation programs who completed student teaching in GA

Additional Requirements: Pass the GACE content assessment Complete an Exceptional Child course Pass the Ethics – Program Exit Assessment (for programs completed after December 31, 2014) • 2014 completers must submit complete application packets

before March 1, 2015 in order to exempt the Ethics assessment.

Pass edTPA if student teaching is completed after September 1, 2015

Advanced and Lead Professional

Who’s best suited for these tiers?

Educators who hold certification in teaching (T) fields

Exhibit a high level of expertise in the classroom

Clear understanding of what it means to be a leader and demonstrate those skills when leading others

Serve as a mentor or coach and demonstrate that behavior with other teachers and co-teachers

Recognized as a leader

Advanced Professional

Requirements:

5 years of experience, with 3 in GA within 5 years

One of the following:

• Advanced degree in a teaching (T) field

• Certification in Curriculum & Instruction or Instructional Technology

• NBPTS Certification

Minimum number of Exemplary Evaluations (TKES)

Employed with an LUA

Valid for 5 years and the certificate is renewable

Lead Professional

Requirements: 5 years of experience, with 3 in GA within 5 years

Hold Teacher Leadership certification OR an applicable endorsement and one of the following:

• Advanced degree in a teaching (T) field; OR

• Certificate in Curriculum & Instruction or Instructional Technology; OR

• NBPTS Certification; AND

• Hold a Teacher Leader, Coaching or Teacher Support Specialist endorsement; AND

Passing score on Teacher Leadership GACE assessment

Minimum number of Exemplary Evaluations (TKES)

Employed with an LUA

Valid for 5 years and the certificate is renewable

Dates to Remember

12/31/14 Deadline for Fall 2014 enrollees to complete the Ethics Assessment – Program Entry

Ethics Assessment requirements go into effect for Pre-Service and Induction certificates

Deadline to submit complete application package for 2014 program completers who have not passed Ethics assessment

Issuance of Pre-Service and Lead Professional certificates begins

edTPA requirement goes into effect for those completing student teaching

Fall 2015

1/1/15

3/1/15

7/1/15

Questions