CERTIFICATION UPDATE FIRST DISTRICT RESA May 19, 2009

CERTIFICATION CHANGES IN ENHANCED CERTIFICATE DESIGN STRUCTURE PAPERLESS CERTIFICATION PROCESS

CURRENT CERTIFICATE DESIGN

ENHANCED CERTIFICATE DESIGN Types (9) Teaching (T) Service (S) Leadership (L) Parapro (PARA) Non-instructional Aide (Aide) Technical Specialist (TS) Permit (P) Support Personnel (SP) Adjunct (J) Renewable Titles (3) Clear Renewable Performance-Based (PB) ** Performance-Based (P) ** Modifies Leadership Type ONLY

ADJUNCT LICENSE Bachelor’s degree minimum with 2-yrs minimum occupational experience applicable to a core subject field Employment contract with system to teach core subject in grades (6-12) only Limited to teaching 50% of school day in no more than one school system Pre-requisite content assessment for field OR hold professional licensure for profession (list linked to rule) Assigned a mentor/coach for minimum 1-year 1-year validity and is renewable System applies electronically through for license (similar to Support Personnel License) Is not convertible to any other type certificate or license Is not transferable to another system

ENHANCED CERTIFICATE DESIGN Types (9) Teaching (T) Service (S) Leadership (L) Parapro (PARA) Non-instructional Aide (Aide) Technical Specialist (TS) Permit (P) Support Personnel (SP) Adjunct (J) Non-Renewable Titles (11) Non-Renewable Prof (N) Intern (I) International Exchange (X) Life (D) Waiver (W) Advanced Degree Alternative Certificate / ADAC (A)

ADAC CERTIFICATE Minimum master’s degree with major in certificate field for grades 6-12 in any Clear Renewable teaching field, OR Juris Doctor degree to teach Political Science Assigned a mentor/coach for minimum 1-year Three 1-year validity periods and cannot be renewed or extended after maximum 3 years IDP required Is transferable to another system in same certification field Can switch to another certification path Completes content & pedagogy assessments and Special GA Requirements before recommendation After 1-year minimum in program, converts to Clear Renewable upon recommendation

ENHANCED CERTIFICATE DESIGN Types (9) Teaching (T) Service (S) Leadership (L) Parapro (PARA) Non-instructional Aide (Aide) Technical Specialist (TS) Permit (P) Support Personnel (SP) Adjunct (J) Non-Renewable Titles (11) Non-Renewable Prof (N) Intern (I) International Exchange (X) Life (D) Waiver (W) Advanced Degree Alternative Certificate / ADAC (A) Core Academic (CA)

CORE ACADEMIC CERTIFICATE Bachelor’s degree or higher with 2.5 GPA requirement Pre-requisite basic skills & content assessments in core field Middle Gds (4-8) or Secondary (6-12) in core subject field Assigned a certified mentor/coach for minimum 1-year 3-year validity and cannot be renewed or extended Is transferable to another system in same certification field Can switch to another certification path Completes pedagogy assessment and Special GA Requirements for recommendation After 1-year minimum in program, converts to Clear Renewable upon recommendation

ENHANCED CERTIFICATE DESIGN Types (9) Teaching (T) Service (S) Leadership (L) Parapro (PARA) Non-instructional Aide (Aide) Technical Specialist (TS) Permit (P) Support Personnel (SP) Adjunct (J) Non-Renewable Titles (11) Non-Renewable Prof (N) Intern (I) International Exchange (X) Life (D) Waiver (W) Advanced Degree Alternative Certificate / ADAC (A) Core Academic (CA) Clinical Practice (CP)

CLINICAL PRACTICE CERTIFICATE Has completed education program and was eligible for student teaching but elected degree only, OR Held a Permit for 5-years successfully Bachelor’s degree minimum Pre-requisite basic skills and applicable content assessment Assigned a certified mentor/coach for minimum 1-year 3-year validity and cannot be renewed or extended Is transferable to another system in same certification field Can switch to another certification path After 1-year minimum in program, converts to Clear Renewable upon recommendation

ENHANCED CERTIFICATE DESIGN Types (9) Teaching (T) Service (S) Leadership (L) Parapro (PARA) Non-instructional Aide (Aide) Technical Specialist (TS) Permit (P) Support Personnel (SP) Adjunct (J) Non-Renewable Titles (11) Non-Renewable Prof (N) Intern (I) International Exchange (X) Life (D) Waiver (W) Advanced Degree Alternative Certificate / ADAC (A) Core Academic (CA) Clinical Practice (CP) One Year Supervised Practicum (O)

ONE YEAR SUPERVISED PRACT. Removed from Non-Renewable Professional (N) certificate Bachelor’s degree minimum with related major in cert field Pre-requisite basic skills, content, and pedagogy assessments Assigned a certified mentor/coach for minimum 1-year 3-year validity and cannot be renewed or extended Is transferable to another system in same certification field Can switch to another certification path Completes supervised practicum and Special GA Requirements for recommendation After 1-year minimum in program, converts to Clear Renewable upon recommendation

ENHANCED CERTIFICATE DESIGN Types (9) Teaching (T) Service (S) Leadership (L) Parapro (PARA) Non-instructional Aide (Aide) Technical Specialist (TS) Permit (P) Support Personnel (SP) Adjunct (J) Non-Renewable Titles (11) Non-Renewable Prof (N) Intern (I) International Exchange (X) Life (D) Waiver (W) Advanced Degree Alternative Certificate / ADAC (A) Core Academic (CA) Clinical Practice (CP) One Year Supervised Practicum (O) Non-Renewable Non-Professional(NN)

NON-RENEWABLE NON-PROFESSIONAL Removed from Non-Renewable Professional Title Similar to old Provisional certificate Bachelor’s degree minimum with 2.5 GPA Pre-requisite basic skills and content assessments (except for Special Ed fields) 5-year validity and cannot be renewed or extended Completes approved traditional program, applicable content assessment, and Special GA Requirements for recommendation Converts to Clear Renewable certificate upon recommendation (Holders of core academic certs must convert to Clear Renewable in 3 yrs to be HiQ)

OTHER NON-RENEWABLE FIELD CHANGES Intern (I) 3-year validity only and cannot be renewed or extended After minimum of 1-year in program, converts to Clear Renewable upon recommendation All other original requirements are unchanged Non-Renewable Professional (N) All Non-Renewable Non-Professional options are removed, e.g., One-Yr-Supv-Practicum & options for individuals not prepared as educator (old Provisional types)

ENHANCED CERTIFICATE DESIGN Effective May 15, 2009 Types (9) Teaching (T) Service (S) Leadership (L) Parapro (PARA) Non-instructional Aide (Aide) Technical Specialist (TS) Permit (P) Support Personnel (SP) Adjunct (J) Non-Renewable Titles (11) Non-Renewable Prof (N) Intern (I) International Exchange (X) Life (D) Waiver (W) Advanced Degree Alternative Certificate / ADAC (A) Core Academic (CA) Clinical Practice (CP) One Year Supervised Practicum (O) Non-Renewable Non-Professional (NN) ** Non-Renewable Perf-Based (NP) ** Modifies Leadership Type ONLY

ENHANCED DESIGN - May 15, 2009

PAPERLESS CERTIFICATION PROCESS Effective January 1, 2010 Continue current electronic processes with systems Stop hardcopy certificates and certification correspondence to educators Educator receives electronic notifications and secure website access Educator has 24/7/365 on-demand print capability Expanded communications between PSC & educators Other states verify Georgia certificates online Input to Rick Eiserman or Mark Pevey

WHAT ARE YOUR QUESTIONS ?

Superintendent (PL-6/7) Building Leader (PL-6/7) System Leader (PL-6/7) New Georgia Performance-Based Leadership Certificates Pre-Service Leadership Candidate (NL-5+) Employment in an Educational Leadership Position PL NPL PL NL NPL PL

OLD “L” CERTIFICATE Holders of Clear Renewable L-5, L-6 or L-7 certificates issued prior to SEPTEMBER 30, 2009: GRANDFATHERED - KEEP “L” CERTIFICATE Certificate will NOT be Performance-Based. Renew with standard requirements. Continue to be eligible to be hired/serve as leaders. If L-5, do not have to move to L-6 or 7. May elect to add PB Designators, not required.

Incoming Out-of State Leadership Certificate Holder NO CHANGE FROM CURRENT PROCEDURES Move employment to Georgia with out-of-state “L” certificate and their content test: * Meet Sp GA Req - get Clear Renewable “L” (Not PB). * Without Sp GA Req - get 1-year NL to meet. * May elect to add Performance-Based Designators - optional not required. NOTE: In this case, the PSC does accept out-of-state “L” Content Test.

Employed in Georgia, Complete Out-of-State Leadership Program Until Sept 30, No change from current procedures After Sept 30, Redefine reciprocity (Leadership only): * Get an upgrade of existing Georgia certificates. * If meet Sp GA Req (including GACE) get Pre-Service NL cert. * If do not meet Sp GA req, get no certificate until met. * Upon Leadership employment, enter a Performance- Based L-6 or 7 Program. NOTE: In this case, the PSC does NOT accept out-of-state “L” Content Test.

CERTIFICATION RULES

PSC Changes Call Center Hours In order to better meet the needs of the working hours of educators, the PSC recently changed its call center hours. Information Specialist will be available to receive calls on Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., except for state holidays. To speak with an Information Specialist, call or (800) outside the Metro Atlanta area. PSC offices continue to be open between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

New Rule Types – Sept. 15, 2008

New Non-Instructional Aide Rule

In-Field Assignments In-Field Assignments

New Rule Types – Sept. 15, 2008

New Support Personnel License

Changes to All Special Ed and Foreign Language Rules – Effective 10/15/08

Paraprofessional Rule

Closely Related Field The educator has a degree from a PSC- accepted accredited higher education institution with at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA (if bachelor’s is the highest degree earned), and a major or equivalent of a major (21 semester hrs. or more) in the field in which he/she wishes to be certified.

OUR MISSION “To build the best prepared, best qualified and most ethical education workforce in the nation.”