Rule Orientation Educator Certificate Upgrades UPDATED AS OF: Feb 8, 2011

Background Why Change? What Changes? New Requirements Timeline Grandfathering ….Still to Come Session Overview

Certificate “level” is based on highest degree earned (4, 5, 6, or 7) Higher certificate level = salary increase Background GA is 3rd highest in USA for advanced degree compensation ($5K - $6K per degree) GA is near bottom in USA for advanced degree standards and rigor

advanced degrees, work in schools, student achievement, and salary increases Why Change? We must create a stronger connection between:

Establishing those connections Narrowing the options for upgrading Creating quality control measures –New eligibility criteria for institutions –New eligibility criteria for advanced degrees What Changes?

Narrowing the options... Advanced degrees that upgrade must be in a GaPSC field of certification (1) currently held by the educator (In Field), or (2) must result in a new GaPSC field of certification (New Field) What Changes?

All institutions and advanced degrees leading to GA upgrades must meet the same levels of quality as GaPSC approved institutions and programs – NCATE / TEAC / Carnegie Classification – Program quality What Changes?

FROM: Pay for Any Degree Institution USDOE-CHEA Accredited What Changes? TO: Phased-In System w/Grandfathering Focus Degrees (In-Field / New Field) Ensure High Quality Institutions (NCATE / TEAC / Carnegie Classification) Better ROI for Student Achievement

Advanced Degree MUST BE: Master’s or higher education degree in the educator’s certification field, OR Master’s or higher degree in the educator’s content/subject area –Examples: In-field for Early Childhood = M.Ed. in Early Childhood In-field for Secondary Math = M.Ed. in Secondary Ed./Mathematics OR M.S. in Mathematics In-field for Educational Leadership = Ed.D. in Educational Leadership OR Ph.D. in Educational Leadership Option 1: In-Field Requirements

Institution MUST BE: If In-State GaPSC-approved, or Carnegie Classification of RU/VH or RU/H RU/VH – Research Univ/Very High Research Activity Option 1: In-Field Requirements If Out-of-State NCATE, or TEAC, or Carnegie Classification of RU/VH or RU/H

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Advanced Degrees MUST BE: Master’s or higher education degree in a GaPSC field of certification A state-approved program that leads to initial certification –Examples: A new field for Early Childhood = M.Ed. in Special Ed. A new field for Secondary Math = M.Ed. in Science Ed. A new field for School Counselor = Ed.D. in School Psychology Option 2: New Field Requirements

Additional Requirements: In order to earn the upgrade, the educator must also... –pass the GACE content assessments –meet all certification requirements –formally add the new field to their certificate Option 2: New Field Requirements

Programs and Institutions MUST BE: –State-approved by GaPSC or the appropriate state-equivalent agency In-state (GA) institutions must have a GaPSC- approved professional education unit Option 2: New Field Requirements

Out-of-state institutions MUST BE: –State-Approved by that State (or GaPSC), and –NCATE, or –TEAC, or –Carnegie Classification of RU/VH or RU/H. Option 2: New Field Requirements

Rule adopted in November, effective 12/15/10 All certificate levels in place on 12/15/10 will remain intact Grandfathering Period: 12/15/10 – 7/15/11 Grandfathered = Upgrade by “old” rules Grandfathering Requirements: –Enrolled by date AND –Completed by date (next slide) Timeline & Grandfathering

Master’s degree programs: –Enrolled by 7/15/11 –Completed by 12/15/14 Specialist degree programs: –Enrolled by 7/15/11 –Completed by 12/15/14 Doctoral degree programs: –Enrolled by 7/15/11 –Completed by 12/15/16 Enrolled = admitted and actively participating in coursework Grandfathering Dates

Three new Service Certificate fields: –Curriculum and Instruction (P-12) –Instructional Technology (P-12) –Teacher Leadership (P-12) …Still to Come Standards and Rules IHE Program Development & Approval GACE Content Assessments

Because programs currently exist in these 3 fields, the GaPSC is extending the grandfathering dates for program enrollment and completion in these three fields beyond the July 15, 2011, date. …Still to Come (3 Certs) CURRENT GUIDANCE: All candidates must be enrolled by 1/15/2013; Complete Master’s or Specialist degree program by Sep 1, 2015, Complete Doctoral degree program by Sep 1, 2017 SEE TRANSITION PLAN for new certificate fields at

…Still to Come (3 Certs)

…Still to Come (Resources) GaPSC Website: Rules Guidelines (HB455 / Upgrade / Leadership Powerpoints Links FAQs / Sample Scenarios

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Questions See the Certificate Upgrade Guidelines at Send Inquiries to Questions?