CERTIFICATION Certification Updates

HIGHLIGHTS Recent Certification Changes Leadership Certificates MyPSC Account Other Things Worth Mentioning Teacher Recognition Simply Certification

CERTIFICATION DIVISION Jane Huntley, Director INFORMATION SPECIALISTS (Primary Telephone Contact) 9 Staff Positions (404) , Press 1, then Press (outside Metro area) EVALUATORS 9 Staff Positions SCANNERS + 2 Staff Positions Kelli Young, Program Manager Jeff Jones, Assistant Certification Manager TEACHER RECOGNITION – Master Teacher & NBPTS Ginny Elliott, Program Director 2 Staff Positions

Certification Rule Changes * Ten Rules initiated at the April Commission Meeting Special Georgia Requirements Computer Skills Competency Removed Memo posted on PSC Website (Effective immediately, the Computer Skills Competency (CSC) Special Georgia Requirement is waived for educator certification.)

Certification Changes Kelly Henson memo : “The CSC has served its original intent, which was to ensure Georgia educators have satisfactory knowledge of computer skills”.  Since 2001 educators completing a state approved educator preparation program are exempt from this requirement since technology is embedded in their preparation programs.  The number of educators that have met the requirement upon certificate renewal has increased significantly.  Cost to educators and their school systems of time and resources associated with meeting this requirement can no longer be justified.

Certification Changes The GACE Computer Skills Competency assessment (GACE 178) is no longer available. The PSC acknowledges and is very appreciative of the work of the Education Technology Centers, Institutions of Higher Education, RESAs, schools systems and schools that helped educators meet the CSC requirement by offering the PSC approved course or GACE Internet-Based Testing.

Certification Rule Changes Five rules involved removal of the CSC requirement only: Life and Performance Based Permit Paraprofessional Special Georgia Requirements Technology/Career Education

Certification Rule Changes Five rules included other changes plus the removal of the CSC requirement. 1.Non-Renewable Non-Professional Non-Renewable Professional Changed the validity period from 5 to 3 years in order to be consistent with Ga Implementation Guidelines for NCLB * Does not apply to Leadership Certificates

Certification Rule Changes 3. Classification-Category, Title, Type, Field, Level Rule changed to reflect changes in Non Renewable Professional and Non- Renewable Non-Professional Waiver Language is added to be consistent with the change in the Standard Renewal Rule.

Certification Rule Changes 5. Standard Renewal Aligned the rule with 0.C.G.A “ An individual who has received two unsatisfactory annual evaluations within the previous five year period pursuant to Code Section shall not be entitled to a renewable certificate prior to demonstrating that such performance deficiency has been satisfactory addressed, but such an individual may apply to the commission for a non- renewable certificate.”

Certification Rule Changes 5. Standard Renewal continued- “An individual who receives two unremediated, unsatisfactory annual evaluations may request a 1-year Waiver certificate. The PSC will review the completed application and, if approved, a 1- year non-renewable Waiver will be provided.”

Certification Rule Changes Standard Renewal continued- Waiver Application: Educator must sign the application attesting an understanding that unless satisfactory remediation is completed during the 1-year waiver validity period, a clear renewable certificate will not be issued.

Certification Rule Changes Standard Renewal continued- Waiver Application: Superintendent (or Designee) must sign attesting 1. A Professional Development Plan will be implemented and closely monitored; 2.The educator will not be issued a clear renewable certificate unless satisfactory performance is determined and a verification form must be signed by the superintendent.

Renewal Requirements Modified HB 1307 Georgia Legislation provides “from July 1, 2010, through June 30, 2015, no professional learning requirements shall be required for certificate renewal for clear renewable certificates for certificated personnel or for certificate renewal for paraprofessionals”.

Renewal Requirements Modified HB 1307: Professional Standards Commission will modify Standard Renewal Requirements during this period. Certificates with an expiration date of June 30, 2010, will require professional learning credit. Certificates with an expiration date of June 30 of will not require professional learning credit to renew a Georgia clear renewable educator certificate or for the renewal of a paraprofessional certificate

Renewal Requirements Modified The purpose of the legislation is provide flexibility and to assist educators during the budget crisis so that they would not have to pay for PLU credit to renew certificate. It does not mean all professional learning is being suspended. It applies to clear renewable certificates for that expire from July 1, 2010-June 30, 2015.

Renewal Requirements Modified The certificate holders may be employed or unemployed. Outstanding requirements other than PLUs must be completed such as Criminal Record Check.

Leadership Notice  Leadership Notice Posted Clarification for transition from the “old” Leadership to the Performance Based Program. Old Leadership program completion deadline must have been by September 30, 2009 and that completion date must be reflected on the Approved Program Recommendation Form (available on the GaPSC website ).

Notice Continued……. The following Special Georgia Requirements, are being separated from the college/university “program requirements”: (1) the “Special Education Course” (2) the Leadership “Content Assessment” Individuals who completed all other Program requirements prior to September 30, 2009 may be recommended by the program provider as having completed the program.

Education Leadership Field 704 L Education Leadership prior to 9/30/09 Field 705 NL Education Leadership Pre- Service Field 706 PL Ed Leadership Building Level Field 707 PL Ed leadership System Level

LEADERSHIP CERTIFICATES Pre-Service Leadership Candidate 705 Superintendent 706 & 707 Employment in an Educational Leadership Position Building Leader ( 706 System Leader 707

Educational Leadership Field 704 Issued to Georgia approved program completers prior to 9/30/09 and initial out-of-state applicants Will continue to be issued to educators applying for their initial Georgia certificate May elect to add PB Designator, not required If L-5, do not have to move to L-6 or 7 If missing any Sp Ga Requirement, 1-year Non- Renewable at request of Ga System If educator is not employed, a Letter of Eligibility will be issued for the NL 704

Educational Leadership Field NL 705 Field NL 705 is issued to individuals that have a minimum of a master’s degree from an PSC- approved, accredited institution and have passed the Praxis Leadership exam by March 15, 2008 or GACE Leadership exam Does not need to be requested by a Georgia school system Will have an independent 5-year validity Renewed by passing the GACE Created to identify a leadership “pool”

Education Leadership Fields 706 & 707 Field 706 or 707 is issued to an individual that completes a Ga. approved performance-based leadership program at the building or system level and satisfies Ga. Special Requirements Field 706 or 707 NPL is issued at the request of an employing school system for an individual that meets eligibility requirements 1. holds a minimum of a master’s degree from an PSC-approved, accredited institution

Education Leadership Fields 706 & 707 Continued.. 2. passed the PRAXIS Leadership exam by or the GACE Leadership exam The 706 or 707 NPL is issued for 5 years and will have an independent 5-year validity based on meeting eligibility requirements and employment date If the 706 or 707 NPL expires before program completion, the superintendent may be requested a one- year Waiver certificate NOTE: verification of enrollment in a PSC-approved performance-based building-level program in revised rule

Educational Leadership Fields 706 & 707 If an individuals holds a Clear renewable PL 706 Building-Level certificate and is assigned to a 707 system-level position, the system may request a 707 NPL. The certificate is valid for 1-year and may be extended for 1-year to complete the program. If an individual holds a Clear Renewable PL 707 system-level certificate and is reassigned to a 706 building-level position, the school system may request the issuance of the 706 NPL. The certificate is valid for 1-year to complete program requirements

Fields 706 & 707 Educators assigned to the position of Superintendent must hold both the building-level and system-level certificates All Georgia approved performance-based programs leading to Clear Renewable certification are at the Specialist or Doctorate levels. Georgia continues to have approved- programs at the Master’s level but it will only lead to a NL 705

2010 Legislative Update HB923 – Deadlines for Completing Leadership Degrees Follow-up from last year’s HB455 (O.C.G.A. § ) Salary increase for advanced degrees in leadership Grandfather in everyone already holding a leadership degree Grandfather in everyone completing a program by July 1, 2010 Leadership degrees earned after July 1, 2010 – salary increase ONLY if working in a leadership position Done in response to a proliferation of “unused” leadership degrees

2010 Legislative Update HB923 – Deadlines for Completing Leadership Degrees HB455: an educator's placement on the salary schedule shall not be based on a leadership degree … if the degree was earned on or after July 1, 2010, unless the educator is employed in a leadership position … but shall be placed on the salary schedule position attributable to the educator but for the leadership degree; … this shall not apply to an educator who possessed a leadership degree prior to July 1, 2010, regardless of whether or not he or she is in a leadership position.

2010 Legislative Update HB923 – Deadlines for Completing Leadership Degrees Over the past year, PSC and many educators argued that July 1, 2010, was not enough time for completion This year, the General Assembly responded by extending the allowed time to complete the degree programs

2010 Legislative Update HB923 – Deadlines for Completing Leadership Degrees The original House version: this shall not apply to an educator who possessed a leadership degree prior to July 1, , as long as he or she was enrolled in an educator leadership preparation program on or before April 1, 2009, regardless of whether or not he or she is in a leadership position. Two important points: Extends the completion date Introduces a “must be enrolled by” date

2010 Legislative Update HB923 – Deadlines for Completing Leadership Degrees Senate substitute: Regardless of position – Paid for leadership degree earned by July 1, 2010 Regardless of position – Paid for leadership degree if enrolled in a program by April 1, 2009 and the degree is completed by July 1, 2012 for master’s degree July 1, 2013 for ed specialist degree July 1, 2014 for doctoral degree Otherwise, paid for leadership degree only if working in a leadership position

H.B. 923/455 continued What is the definition of a leadership position? Georgia Code Any professional school employee certificated by the GaPSC who is required to hold a leadership certificate and is assigned to a leadership position pursuant to rules of the State Board of Education, Department of Education, GaPSC, or requirements of local policy or job description. PSC Rule Definition of a leadership position – Positions requiring a leadership certificate are those in which an individual has the authority and/or responsibility, in a supervisory role, for board-approved educational programs and/or certified personnel. It is the responsibility of the superintendent to ensure that all system employees are properly certified.

H.B. 923/455 continued What percentage of time must an educator spend in a leadership position to qualify for the additional compensation? Any portion of his/her work schedule What role will the GaPSC play in implementing the bill? Effective July 1, 2010, the GaPSC will be prepared to provide the name of any educator earning a degree impacted by HB 455 to the LEA. The LEA, working within the parameters of the definition of a leadership position, will determine which educators will not receive salary upgrades relative to the completion of an advanced degree in leadership.

Upgrade Proposal The GaPSC seeks to implement changes in certification and educator preparation policies that will: More directly connect educators’ certificate levels to the certificate(s) they hold. Encourage educators to complete advanced preparation programs more closely aligned with their certification and educational roles to maximize the impact on their performance and hence student learning, or have a direct impact on school and district improvement initiatives. Encourage local school district administrators to take a more active role in promoting and encouraging advanced preparation of educators in fields explicitly related to their roles in schools and/or school or district improvement initiatives. Encourage Georgia private and public institutions of higher education to develop partnerships with local school districts and offer advanced preparation programs that will address the needs of P-12 schools in improving teaching and learning. Conserve state resources currently expended on educators who earn advanced degrees in fields unrelated to their work in schools.

Upgrade Rule Educators will be able to earn a certificate level upgrade by completing one of the following: Option 1- In-field: Advanced degree in their field(s) of certification Option 2- New field: Advanced degree program in a new field of certification In-field programs may be competed with Georgia institutions meeting one of the following: 1.The college, school or department of Education is approved by GAPSC, or 2.The institution has a Carnegie Classification of RU/VH or RU/H

Upgrade Rule In-field programs offered by out-of-state institutions must meet one of the following: 1.The institution is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), or 2.The advanced program is accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC), or 3.The institution has a Carnegie Classification of RU/VH or RU/H

Upgrade Rule Educators upgrading through the addition of a new field must meet all Georgia certification requirements to add the certification field in order to qualify for the certificate upgrade. New Field programs must meet one of the following: 1. State-approved by GAPSC or state equivalent and 2. The institution is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), or 3. The advanced program is accredited by the Teacher Education council (TEAC), or The institution has a Carnegie Classification (RU/VH or RU/H)

Upgrade Rule NOTE: All existing certification upgrades will remain intact and will not be impacted by proposed policy changes. Educators admitted to an advanced preparation program and enrolled in program coursework by July 1, 2011, will be allowed to upgrade certificates under current GaPSC Rules excluding degrees governed by HB 455.

MyPSC GaPSC went paperless January 2, Eliminated the need to print and mail certificates/correspondence to educators. MyPSC is a new online feature designed to automate the certification process for educators. Educators can update their personal profile, pay fees and view/print certification information from the website.

Certification Updates Two new Evaluation and Information Specialists ( Ashley Sanders and Melanie Madison) that replace Sherry Smith and Rose Wilson. They were promoted to Evaluator Trainees. Sherry replaced Jacqui Brey who retired at the beginning of December. Our office has entered into a partnership with the Department of Early Childhood and Learning (DECAL). The DECAL evaluators will be responsible for processing career level assignments to childcare employees and verifying credentials for educators teaching in the Georgia Pre-K program. The information specialist position will support the evaluator positions by handling calls, providing clerical support and includes scanning duties. Rose Wilson was promoted into one of the evaluator positions. A new information specialist (Tatisha Doggett) was hired for this position. The remaining evaluator position will be posted shortly and filled within the next month. All of these positions are contract positions.

Who Should Register? All Georgia educators must register on MyPSC Anyone who has submitted paperwork to GaPSC for processing (In-state and out- of-state). Anyone who has passed a GACE assessment.

What Does MyPSC Offer? MyPSC is accessible from the GaPSC website. Educators have 24 hr access to their account information. Secure login to GaPSC online environment. Educators create and maintain their own account information. PSC sends electronic notifications to the educator when updates have been made to their file.

Key Things to Know So, Georgia will accept professional out-of-state certificates to establish professional certification. However, the individual will be subject to our Special Georgia Requirements if they did not meet them for the professional out-of-statecertificate.So, Georgia will accept professional out-of-state certificates to establish professional certification. However, the individual will be subject to our Special Georgia Requirements if they did not meet them for the professional out-of-statecertificate. PSC Account Number = Certification ID #. Six-digit number is required to access MyPSC. The number is located on all certificates and correspondence from GaPSC. The number can be retrieved from the GaPSC website under Check Certification Status.

As part of the account creation process, it is critical educators provide a valid address. Since correspondence will be via , educators will: need to use a reliable address—one checked often. enter a second address during the registration process for a backup. (If your address changes, update MyPSC Account with the new address.) Key Things to Know

Registration Process So, Georgia will accept professional out-of-state certificates to establish professional certification. However, the individual will be subject to our Special Georgia Requirements if they did not meet them for the professional out-of-statecertificate.So, Georgia will accept professional out-of-state certificates to establish professional certification. However, the individual will be subject to our Special Georgia Requirements if they did not meet them for the professional out-of-statecertificate. SSN* Date of Birth* PSC Account Number* Valid Primary address* Secondary address is optional Password (special formatting required)* Security Questions (3 separate Q&A)*

Login Process So, Georgia will accept professional out-of-state certificates to establish professional certification. However, the individual will be subject to our Special Georgia Requirements if they did not meet them for the professional out-of-statecertificate.So, Georgia will accept professional out-of-state certificates to establish professional certification. However, the individual will be subject to our Special Georgia Requirements if they did not meet them for the professional out-of-statecertificate. Valid Primary address* PSC Account Number* Password (special formatting required)*

PAPERLESS CERTIFICATION From the system office perspective:  No changes with our current electronic processes (ExpressLane, ACRES, etc.)  Portal capability for HR staff to view certificate and appropriate related correspondence and documents

Certification Updates OTHER THINGS WORTH MENTIONING

Certification Updates DECAL Project Status of Revised Forms Certification Related Information

Department of Early Care & Learning PSC has established a partnership with DECAL to continue and expand an established process for verifying credentials for Georgia’s Pre-K teachers and childcare professionals. PSC will issue certificates or verify credentials for educators employed in public, private, charter and childcare facilities along with processing career level assignments to childcare professionals. The goal is to utilize PSC’s expertise to recognize credentials of qualified Early Care Learning educators, and positively impact education.

Certification Revised Forms: Assurance Form: change in section for Education Leadership “ employed as an administrator or placed in a leadership role to complete residency requirements” Alternate Level 6 Form: aligned requirements on the form with those in the rule

Certification Related Information GACE: The GACE testing calendar for FY11 has been approved and is aligned with this past year’s testing dates; the new testing schedule will be sent as soon as it can be released by Evaluation Systems During FY11, we are adding additional computer based testing windows for Basic Skills and are working to add additional GACE assessments to our computer based testing format.

Certification Related Information Title II A: Reminder that All LEA Title II-A Equity Plans are due July 1, We have a new Quick Reference Guide for HiQ on the gapsc.com website, along with additional training materials. Click on NCLB and then “Title IIA Spring Conference” to access these. Please let your state Title IIA coordinator know how we can meet your Title IIA needs.

Simplify Certification GaPSC is initiating a study of certification rules/regulations/processes. The GOAL is to reduce the complexity associated with certification. Local support is necessary! Input and support from Human Resource Directors and staff are ESSENTIAL!!! PSC certification staff plans to work closely with GASPA.

Simplify Certification PSC is initiating the following changes: 1. Move alternative certificates under I certificate. The provider determines the path and enters specific designation in gapsc.org website 2. Make Broad Field Social Science a Secondary Field (eliminating the 5 separate fields) 3. Adjust gapsc.org to allow approved system staff to view communications sent to employees

Simplify Certification Other changes identified by PSC staff: 1.Reduce the number of certificate titles and select names that are easy to comprehend 2.Increase the number of certificates that can be issued through gapsc.org website Examples- a.Expired Educator Certificate (Ga. certificate holders employed but need renewal requirements) b.Performing Artist (only issued for candidates with less than bachelor’s in dance, drama, music, and art

Simplify Certification HELP !!!! PSC Staff identify certification issues and determine ways to resolve as many as possible!!!

WHAT ARE YOUR QUESTIONS ?

CONTACT INFORMATION Information Specialists – OR (outside Metro), then press # 1 upon cue, then # 1 again - OR -Jane ExpressLane Support or Sign-On Authorization –