Rule Orientation 505 -2 — 41 Educator Certificate

Rule Orientation 505 -2 -. 41 Educator Certificate Upgrades UPDATED AS OF: Feb 8, 2011

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

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

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

What Changes? • 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 Ga. PSC field of certification (1) currently held by the educator (In Field), or (2) must result in a new Ga. PSC field of certification (New Field)

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

What Changes? FROM: Pay for Any Degree Institution USDOE-CHEA Accredited 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

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

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Option 2: New Field Requirements Advanced Degrees MUST BE: • Master’s or higher education degree in a Ga. PSC 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 Ga. PSC or the appropriate state-equivalent agency In-state (GA) institutions must have a Ga. PSCapproved professional education unit

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

Timeline & Grandfathering • 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)

Grandfathering Dates • 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

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

…Still to Come (3 Certs) Because programs currently exist in these 3 fields, the Ga. PSC is extending the grandfathering dates for program enrollment and completion in these three fields beyond the July 15, 2011, date. 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 http: //www. gapsc. com/Policies_guidelines/documents/Transition_Plan_New_Fields. pdf

…Still to Come (3 Certs)

…Still to Come (Resources) • Ga. PSC Website: Rules Guidelines (HB 455 / Upgrade / Leadership Powerpoints Links FAQs / Sample Scenarios

RESOURCE TOOLS

Questions? See the Certificate Upgrade Guidelines at www. gapsc. com Send Email Inquiries to certupgrade@gapsc. com