Teacher Academy for Preparation and Pedagogy (TAPP)

The Clayton County Public Schools (CCPS) provides quality instruction to over 51,000 students The vision of Clayton County Public Schools is to be a district of excellence preparing ALL students to live and compete successfully in a global society.

The mission of Clayton County Public Schools is to be accountable to all stakeholders for providing a globally competitive education that empowers students to achieve academic and personal goals and to become college and career ready, productive, responsible citizens.

Core Belief Statements We believe children have first priority on all of our resources. We believe education is the shared responsibility of the student, the parent/guardian, the school, and the community. We believe communication and understanding among all stakeholders of our diverse community are essential to achieving the goals of education. We believe that learning is a continuous process and most productive when the needs of the each child are met through instruction provided by competent and caring teachers. We believe a learning environment where everyone experiences security, care, dignity, and respect is essential.

District Strategic Goals 1. To increase academic achievement for all students in Clayton County Public Schools as evidenced by state, national and international assessment results. 2. To provide and maintain a safe, orderly, and secure learning environment. 3. To create an environment that promotes active engagement, accountability, and collaboration of all stakeholders to maximize student achievement. 4. To effectively communicate the system’s vision and purpose and allow stakeholder involvement in an effort to build understanding and support. 5. To provide high quality support services delivered on time and within budget to promote academic success in Clayton County Public Schools. 6. To recruit and retain highly qualified and effective staff.

We are seeking outstanding individuals….. who are committed to supporting CCPS in the endeavor of its vision and mission by bringing your educational background, experience, and knowledge to provide a positive impact on the lives of our students. No previous education coursework or experience is required.

TAPP is a practical field-based program, designed to develop proficient teachers in a timely and economically feasible manner. The same rigorous standards as a traditional teacher-training program are the foundations for this competency-based program. Our Professional Standards Commission (PSC) approved TAPP Program is a rigorous program that:

Application Process: School Year Complete an online application at  Submit:  an information sheet  Resume  a personal statement detailing your desire to participate in the CCPS TAPP program  official passing scores on all three parts of the GACE Basic Skills Assessment* or evidence of one of the following exemptions:  ACT: English and Math combined score of 43  GRE: Verbal and Quantitative combined score of 1030  SAT: Verbal and Math combined score of 1000  Masters Degree

* Please visit for registration and additional details. You may visit the GA Professional Standards Commission website for questions regarding types of certification: Application Process: Submission documents cont’d.  passing scores of the GACE appropriate content assessment* associated with the field in which you desire to teach.  Official transcripts of ALL colleges and universities attended. NOTE: Must have a Bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.50 GPA on a 4.0 scale or a Masters degree

Please submit all of the aforementioned documents to the following address : Clayton County Public Schools Attn: Teacher Academy for Preparation and Pedagogy (TAPP) Program Interest 1058 Fifth Avenue Jonesboro, GA Application Deadline: Friday, October 17, 2014 After submission of all application materials, selected applicants will be invited to participate in the Interview Day activities.

Dates to Remember August 15, 2014 (TAPP Application Period Opens) October 17, 2014 (Application Deadline) October 24, 2014 (Invitation Sent to Selected Candidates for Interview Day) November 6 - 7, 2014 (TAPP Interview Days) November 14, 2014 (TAPP Candidate Selection Day) December 1-12, 2014 (TAPP Essentials Class)

RATIONALE o Meet the critical need for quality teachers in the Clayton County Public Schools o Assist qualified college graduates as they transition to a teaching career o Provide a time and cost effective program that recognizes the education and experiences of each candidate o Prepare qualified candidates to earn clear, renewable Georgia teaching certificates

Hold an academic major or the equivalent (defined as a minimum of 15 semester hours for middle grades certification and 21 semester hours for secondary certification); COMMON AREAS OF CERTIFICATION/GACE

Financial Commitments GACE assessment fees College or university expense Books/materials for any additional college coursework Once you have begun the program, there is a $1000 fee if you should drop out any time before completion Candidates who successfully complete the program and are offered contracts must work for CCPS for at least 3 years or reimburse the system up to $3000 for program expense. Cost is forgiven at the rate of $1000 per year taught after program completion.

Time Commitments PreTAPP Essentials Class (2 weeks total): Offered in the summer and is mandatory for all TAPP candidates. There will be a session held December 1-12, New Teacher Induction (mandatory for all TAPP candidates) The Essentials class must be completed before entrance into the classroom. TAPP is a 1-3 year program.

Coursework Coursework in the summer and in the evenings (average of two evenings per week) For Special Education all coursework will be provided by the district All other programs may involve some college coursework in addition to core courses offered in the district

CORE COURSES FOR TAPP PROGRAMS Human Growth and Development (TAPP) InTel (TAPP) Classroom Management (TAPP) Identification/ Education of the Exceptional Child (All) Teaching of Reading and Writing (All) CRISS Learning Strategies (All, but ECE TAPP) Differentiated Instruction (All) Learning Styles (All) Understanding Students in Poverty (All) Assessment (All)

Additional CCPS Requirements Gain admission to an appropriate college to complete needed content coursework, if assigned Complete all coursework Maintain employment as a CCPS teacher Candidates may not assume any extracurricular teaching, coaching or club obligations which might interfere with CCPS TAPP.

TAPP Is… A rigorous program that leads to clear, renewable certification An on the job training program that allows you to maintain teaching responsibilities while taking courses in content and/or pedagogy A heavily supported program that allows you to apply your content knowledge to a teaching situation under the guidance of mentors, administrators and a teacher development specialist

TAPP is not… A program that leads to another degree Appropriate if you have ever held a teaching certificate An easy route to a new career in teaching

REMEMBER Everyone must pass GACE basic skills or exempt them (SAT/ACT or Masters) All TAPP candidates must pass the GACE before acceptance into TAPP Checklist