1 Session B3: Strategies to Help Prepare Candidates for the GACE GaPSC Certification and Program Officials’ Conference November 12, 2013

Outcomes Input Preparation Strategies and Resources Interactive Sharing Session Agenda

3 GACE Update

New Program (ETS) At launch (October 2013), all tests are offered via computer only, except for the performance portion of American Sign Language. Due to new technologies, most tests (not all) contain selected response items only with immediate feedback. All tests are customized for Georgia and aligned with state and national standards for educator preparation and with state standards for the P-12 student curriculum.

Previous Program: No price increase in past 7 years (except one $5 registration fee increase) Previous CBT fee was $30 with ES Content assessment: $125 (one test); $195 (assessment) New Program: No price increase in next 7 years; price goes down $5.00 over time New CBT is $28 with ETS Content assessment: $123 (one test); $193 (assessment) Cost for the GACE

To be able to register for any GACE (except Paraprofessional), all candidates must have a MyPSC Account ( The examinee’s name in MyPSC must match exactly as it appears on the photo ID that will be used when seeking admission to the test center to take a GACE assessment. If not, the examinee will not be admitted. MyPSC Account

Program Admission Assessment (formerly Basic Skills) 1. I am testing for admission to a Georgia educator preparation program and need to take the Program Admission Assessment (formerly Basic Skills Assessment). Content Assessment College/University Programs 2. I am enrolled in a Georgia-approved program in an undergraduate teaching field, or in Educational Leadership, Media, School Psychology, or Counseling. 3. I am seeking admission to/enrolled in a Georgia-approved M.A.T.; M.Ed. that leads to certification; Certification Only; or Post-Baccalaureate program. 4. I am enrolled in an out-of-state (non-Georgia) college/university (could be at the undergraduate or graduate level) educator preparation program that requires field experiences and/or student teaching that I will do in Georgia schools. 5. I am enrolled in a college/institution and am testing in a teaching field different from my first teaching preparation field. 6. I have already completed a Georgia college/university preparation program and am testing for certification. Reasons for Testing

GaTAPP/Non-Traditional (School System, RESA, Organization) Programs 7. I am seeking admission to a GaTAPP program and am testing to meet the content assessment requirement(s). 8. I am enrolled in a GaTAPP program and am testing to meet the content assessment requirement(s). Adding a Field 9. I hold a Georgia professional teaching certificate and am adding a teaching field or academic content concentration(s) Out of State 10. I am a graduate of an out-of-state (non-Georgia) educator preparation program and am seeking Georgia certification 11. I hold an educator certificate in another state and am seeking Georgia certification. Other Reasons 12. I hold a Georgia non-renewable teaching certificate and am seeking professional certification. 13. I am testing to meet the requirements in my letter of eligibility from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. 14. I teach in a Georgia Charter School with no requirement for certification and am testing to meet Highly Qualified Teacher requirements. 15. I teach in a Georgia private school that may or may not require certification and am testing to earn state certification. Reasons for Testing

Candidates in traditional preparation programs who selected Reason to Test #2 are notified via when they are granted eligibility to test by their program provider. Notifications are sent to the addresses provided in their MyPSC account. Automatic eligibility will be granted for all examinees that take the Program Admission Assessment (formerly the Basic Skills Assessment). Steps for Examinees

Automatic eligibility will be granted for candidates seeking admission to/enrolled in M.A.T.; M.Ed. that leads to certification; Certification Only; or Post- Baccalaureate program. Once a candidate passes all tests within the assessment in the initial preparation field, the candidate will be granted automatic eligibility to add appropriate additional teaching fields via testing. Steps for Examinees

11 Strategies & Resources

12 Additional Strategies

View Test Design and Framework

Review GaPSC Program Rules Rules/home.aspx

Review CCGPS State Standards

Use Curriculum Mapping Guide

Register for Live Webinars

View Faculty Workshop Video preparing_candidates/ preparing_candidates/

21 Interactive Sharing

22 Contact Information

GACE assistance GACE Website: Calls about any aspect of GACE (M-F, 7am – 6pm) s from all test takers about the new testing program: GaPSC assistance (regarding certification or MyPSC): Help for Examinees

GACE assistance GACE Informational Website: s from state-approved program providers about the new testing program: Help for Providers

Contact Information If Questions, Suggestions, Comments: Anne Marie Fenton ETS