Rule Orientation
505-2-.41 Educator Certificate Upgrades
UPDATED AS OF: Feb 8, 2011
• Background Why Change?
What Changes?
• New Requirements
• Timeline Grandfathering
• ….Still to Come
Session Overview
• Certificate “level” is based on highest degree earned (4, 5, 6, or 7)
• Higher certificate level = salary increase
Background
• GA is 3rd highest in USA for advanced degree compensation ($5K - $6K per degree)
• GA is near bottom in USA for advanced degree standards and rigor
• advanced degrees,
• work in schools,
• student achievement, and
• salary increases
Why Change?
We must create a stronger connection between:
• 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 GaPSC field of certification
(1) currently held by the educator (In Field), or
(2) must result in a new GaPSC field of certification (New Field)
What Changes?
All institutions and advanced degrees leading to GA upgrades must meet the same levels of quality as GaPSC approved institutions and programs
– NCATE / TEAC / Carnegie Classification
– Program quality
What Changes?
FROM: Pay for Any Degree
Institution USDOE-CHEA Accredited
What Changes?
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
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 GaPSC-approved, or Carnegie Classification of RU/VH or RU/H
RU/VH – Research Univ/Very High Research Activity
Option 1: In-Field Requirements
If Out-of-State
NCATE, or TEAC, or Carnegie Classification of RU/VH or RU/H
Provider Quick Reference Tool
Advanced Degrees MUST BE:
• Master’s or higher education degree in a GaPSC 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 GaPSC or the appropriate state-equivalent agency
In-state (GA) institutions must have a GaPSC-approved professional education unit
Option 2: New Field Requirements
Out-of-state institutions MUST BE:
– State-Approved by that State (or GaPSC), and
– NCATE, or
– TEAC, or
– Carnegie Classification of RU/VH or RU/H.
Option 2: New Field Requirements
• 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)
Timeline & Grandfathering
• 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
Grandfathering Dates
• Three new Service Certificate fields:
– Curriculum and Instruction (P-12)
– Instructional Technology (P-12)
– Teacher Leadership (P-12)
…Still to Come
• Standards and Rules
• IHE Program Development & Approval
• GACE Content Assessments
Because programs currently exist in these 3 fields, the GaPSC is extending the grandfathering dates for program enrollment and completion in these three fields beyond the July 15, 2011, date.
…Still to Come (3 Certs)
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)
• GaPSC Website:
Rules Guidelines (HB455 / Upgrade / Leadership Powerpoints Links FAQs / Sample Scenarios
RESOURCE TOOLS
Questions
See the Certificate Upgrade Guidelines at www.gapsc.com Send Email Inquiries to
Questions?