Rule Orientation 505 -2 — 41 Educator Certificate

Rule Orientation 505 -2 -. 41 Educator Certificate Upgrades UPDATED AS OF: May 1, 2011

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

Background • Certificate “level” is based on highest degree earned (4, 5, 6, or 7) • Higher certificate level = salary increase • Redefine certs/levels eligible for upgrade • 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

Background • In AY 2008 -09, Georgia paid $68 M in salary increases for “Unused Leadership Degrees” • Resulted in 2009 and 2010 Legislative Action (HB 455 -HB 923), phased-in elimination of leadership degree salary upgrades for those not employed in a leadership position GEORGIA PAID $880 M IN SALARY INCREASES FOR ALL ADVANCED DEGREE LEVELS (5 -6 -7)

Research MARCH 2007 October 2007

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

What Changes? 1. ) Narrow the degree 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? 2. ) Raise the bar for providers. . . 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

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

www. gapsc. com

RESOURCE TOOLS

RESOURCE TOOLS

Provider Quick Reference Tool

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

Sample Scenario A Georgia educator holds a Clear Renewable Level 4 certificate in French (P-12). The educator is interested in completing a master’s degree program in French education at Argosy University. Is the degree an In-Field or New Field Option? Yes, it is In-Field Is the institution in-state or out-of-state? Argosy – out-of-state Florida & others Is the institution NCATE, TEAC, or Carnegie RU/VH -- H? No Will this degree result in an upgrade? No

Sample Scenario The same Georgia educator (Clear Renewable Level 4 French certificate) decides to look into a Master’s degree from Georgia State University in “Modern and Classical Languages—French Literature and Culture”. Is this degree an In-Field or New Field Option? Yes, it is In-Field Is the institution in-state or out-of-state? In-state Is the in-state institution approved by Ga. PSC? Yes (Also Carnegie RU/VH) Will this degree result in an upgrade? Yes

Question? If I add a new field… do I have to be working in that field in order to receive an upgrade and salary increase? NO

Sample Scenario A Georgia educator holds a Clear Renewable Level 4 certificate in Early Childhood Education (P-5). The educator is interested in attending Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA) to complete an MAT program in Secondary Education. Is the degree an In-Field or New Field Option? Yes, it is a New Field Is the provider/degree program approved by the Virginia Department of Education? Yes, Liberty Univ/MAT is state-approved Is the out-of-state institution NCATE, or TEAC, or Carnegie RU/H or RU/VH? Yes, Liberty Univ is NCATE Accredited

Yes…but wait Many institutions offer degrees in fields such as “Secondary Education”. In order to add a new field with a degree in Secondary Education, the transcript and recommendation form must list an area of specialization in a field recognized by Georgia. For example: Liberty University has a Degree in “Secondary Education with a specialization in Science”. The educator must also pass the GACE assessments for the specific Secondary field of specialization, meet all other certification requirements and add the field before being eligible for the upgrade.

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