Tiered Certification and GaTAPP Jeffrey Homan, Ed.S. Stefan McCain, M.A.

Four Tiers of Certification 1. Pre-Service 2. Induction 3. Professional 4. Advanced Professional & Lead Professional

Pre-Service This certification is issued to teacher candidates who are qualified to participate in field experiences and student teaching In most cases, this certificate is requested on behalf of the candidate by a college or university teacher-preparation program administrator Not a pre-requisite for any other certification tier in Georgia. 3

Induction This certification is intended for teachers with fewer than 3 years of experience in the last 5 years Teachers with this certification must meet additional qualifications in order to qualify for a Professional certificate. 4

Induction – Pathway 1 This pathway is for those who have completed an educator preparation program in the state of Georgia Passing score on the GACE Program Admission Assessment (basic skills), GACE Content Assessment, and GACE Educator Ethics Assessment, edTPA, and successful completion of Identifying and Educating Exceptional Children. 5

Induction – Pathway 2 This pathway is for those who have completed an educator preparation program in another U.S. state but completed student teaching in Georgia Completion of a GaPSC-approved educator preparation program, passing score on the GACE Program Admission Assessment (basic skills), GACE Content Assessment, GACE Educator Ethics Assessment, edTPA, and successful completion of Identifying and Educating Exceptional Children. 6

Induction – Pathway 3 This pathway is for those who have completed all parts of an educator preparation program in another U.S. state, professionally certified out-of-state educators with less than 3 years of experience within 5 years of the date of application, and professionally certified out-of-state educators who have met the Induction, but not Professional, passing score on the GACE content assessment GACE Educator Ethics and Identifying and Educating Exceptional Children are required for conversion to a Professional certification. 7

Induction – Pathway 4 This pathway is for those individuals who are hired to begin teaching in a Georgia school before completing an educator preparation program A bachelor's degree or higher Passing score on the GACE Program Admission Assessment (basic skills), GACE Content Assessment, and GACE Educator Ethics For most candidates, this is admission to a Georgia Teacher Academy for Preparation and Pedagogy (GaTAPP) program or a M.A.T. Program.

Performance-Based Professional Teachers with a minimum of 3 years of experience (in the last 5 years) who have been evaluated for at least 2 years on TKES and for leaders who have completed a Georgia performance-based certification program At least 2 Proficient or Exemplary TKES annual performance ratings earned within the last 5 years Professional level passing score on the appropriate GACE content assessment or exemption. 9

Performance-Based Professional Educational Leadership Completion of a GaPSC-approved Performance- Based Educational Leadership program at the specialist or doctoral degree level Professional level passing score on the GACE Educational Leadership content assessment Standard Professional Educational Leadership certificates were issued to Georgia educators who completed a GaPSC-approved Educational Leadership certification program prior to September 30,

Standard Professional This certificate is issued in all service fields, as well as to leaders who have not completed a performance-based program and to teachers who do not have the TKES evaluations required for the Performance-Based Professional certificate At least 3 years of experience within the last 5 years Professional level passing score on the appropriate GACE content assessment or exemption

Standard Professional Certificate in Service Fields Curriculum & Instruction Instructional Technology Media Specialist School Counseling School Nutrition Director School Psychology School Social Work Speech and Language Pathology Teacher Leadership See GaPSC for specific information for each... 12

Advanced Professional Teachers who demonstrate expert classroom practice, but will not be issued until more data about TKES evaluations is available At least 5 years of acceptable educator experience and one of the following: advanced degree in teaching field; certificate in curriculum and instruction or instructional technology; NBPTS A minimum number of Exemplary TKES annual performance ratings and no unsatisfactory evaluations (TBD). 13

Lead Professional Passing score on GACE Teacher Leadership Assessment At least 5 years of acceptable educator experience and one of the following: Teacher Leadership Certification; advanced degree in teaching field and Teacher Leader, Coaching, or Teacher Support & Coaching endorsement; NBPTS and... A minimum number of Exemplary TKES annual performance ratings and no unsatisfactory evaluations (currently issued to those who meet all other requirements until more data is available). 14

Key Transitions or Conversions Induction to Professional: complete the requirements outlined in the correspondence issued with your Induction certificate. The documents you need to submit with your application for conversion are also included in that correspondence, which can be accessed through your MyPSC account. Professional to Advanced Professional: Advanced Professional certificates will not be issued until more data about TKES evaluations is available. 15

Questions Jeffrey Homan Director of Certification Programs Stefan McCain Program Specialist