Certification Division. Certification Rule Changes Unsatisfactory Evaluations &Renewals “An individual who has received two unsatisfactory annual evaluations

Certification Division

Certification Rule Changes

Unsatisfactory Evaluations &Renewals“An individual who has received two unsatisfactory annual evaluations within the previous five year period pursuant to Code Section 20-2-210 shall not be entitled to a renewable certificate prior to demonstrating that such performance deficiency has been satisfactorily addressed, but such an individual may apply to the commission for a non-renewable certificate.” O.C.G.A. 20-2-200


“An individual who receives two un-remediated, unsatisfactory annual evaluations may request a 1-year Waiver certificate. The PSC will review the completed application and, if approved, a 1-year non-renewable Waiver certificate will be provided.”

Unsatisfactory Evaluations and Renewals


Educator must sign the application verifying an understanding that unless satisfactory remediation is completed during the 1-year waiver validity period, a clear renewable certificate will not be issued.



Superintendent (or Designee) must sign to attest: 1. A Professional Development Plan will be

implemented; and

2.The educator will not be issued a clear renewable certificate unless satisfactory performance is determined and a verification form signed by the superintendent.


Renewal Requirements Modified

HB 1307:

• Temporarily suspends the PLU requirement for purposes of certificate renewal

• Does not mean all professional learning is being suspended



• The certificate holders may be employed or unemployed.

• Outstanding requirements other than PLUs must be completed such as Criminal Record Check.

Leadership Rule

RULE INITIATED 9/9/10

Add Leadership Certification:

• Georgia educators must complete a Educational Leadership Performance-Based Program

• Presently no out-of-state Educational Leadership Performance-Based programs have been approved

Leadership Rule• NL “Pre-Service” certificate will not be issued

after 12/15/10

• NPL issued to educators in a leadership position at the request of the employer. PSC issues with the understanding that the educator is enrolled in a Leadership Performance-Based GaPSC approved program.

• NPL is not issued for an educator in a leadership “role”.

Leadership Rule

• Out-of-State educators never certified in Ga.who hold a Leadership certificate with 3 or more years of successful experience are eligible for a Leadership certificate (L).

• Out-of-State educators who hold a Leadership certificate with less than 3 years of experience must complete a Performance-Based Leadership program.

Leadership Rule

Leadership Certification & Upgrade:

Educators who hold an existing Georgia Leadership

certificate may:

1. Complete an out-of-state or in-state program if the institution meets the quality standards specified in the Educator Upgrade rule, or

2. Georgia-approved Educational Leadership

Performance-based program.

Upgrade Rule

Upgrade Options: There are two options for advanced degree

programs from which educators can select:

1. In-Field programs (advance in an existing certification field held by the educator)

2. New Field programs ( advance in a certification field not held by the educator)

Upgrade Rule

Advanced Degree (s) Essential Requirements:

• Options 1 and 2 both require the advanced degree to be in one of Georgia’s certification fields

• Option 2 requires that the appropriate Georgia content assessment must be passed

(Fields that do not have a content assessment developed/specified will not require the assessment)

Upgrade Rule

Increased quality control of Out-of-State institutions

-- NCATE / TEAC accreditation

-- Carnegie Research Classification (VH/H)

Upgrade Rule

Educator Responsibilities

Determine if institution satisfies quality standards (PSC will post a list of institutions that satisfy quality standards)

PSC Procedure

PSC plans to require prior approval for out-of-state programs

COLLEGE NCAT

E TEACCARNEGIE CLASS

APPROVED PROGRAMS

3-15/3-19

Argosy University no no no no

American Intercontinental University no no no no

Ashford University/Rio Salado College no no no no

Cambridge College no candidate no yes

Capella University no no no no

Central Michigan University yes candidate no yes

Drexel University no no RU/H yes

Eastern Michigan University yes no no no

Fielding Graduate University no no no no

George Washington University yes no RU/H no

Grand Canyon University no no no yes

Kaplan University no no no no

Liberty University yes no no yes

Lesley University no yes no no

Lincoln Memorial University no no no yes

National University no no no yes

Nova Southeastern University no no no yes

University of Phoenix no yes no yes

University of West Alabama yes no no yes

University of West Florida yes no no yes

Walden University no no no yes

Western Governor's University yes no no yes

MyPSC Account

• GaPSC is paperless as of January 2, 2010

• Eliminated the need to print and mail certificates/correspondence to educators.

• Educators can update their personal profile, pay fees and view/print certification information from the website.

What Does MyPSC Offer?

•MyPSC is accessible from the GaPSC website.

•Educators have 24-hour access to their account information.

• Secure login to GaPSC online environment.

•Educators create and maintain their own account information. •PSC sends electronic notifications to the educator when updates have been made to their files.

Impact of going paperless

•Over 90% reduction in PSC postage cost

•Initial spike in helpdesk calls and email that

are now beginning to decrease

•Improved efficiency of the certification division

due to less printing and mailing

Key Things To Know

• A data file is being created for HR Directors to access through the .org account to provide a list of employees who have or need to establish a MyPSC Account.

• Until the data file is created email [email protected] for the information.

Key Things To Know

• If an educator is not registered for a MyPSC account, it will delay the certification process

PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU ALWAYS USE THE APPLICATION REVISED APRIL 2009 AND THE EDUCATOR INCLUDES THEIR EMAIL ADDRESS

Certification

• PSC EMAIL CONTACT INFORMATION– For school system certification issues only:

[email protected]

– For educator use only: [email protected]

– For computer issues with gapsc.org: [email protected]

Certification Updates

OTHER THINGS WORTH

MENTIONING

PSC Operating Procedures

Due to budget and staff reductions, the PSCmust modify its standard operating procedures.

We will no longer be able to assist "walk-in" visitors.

Call Center will be closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Please direct questions to [email protected]. We regret any inconvenience.

Simplify Certification

• GaPSC is initiating a study of certification rules/regulations/processes.

• The GOAL is to reduce the complexity associated with certification.

• Local support is necessary!

• Input and support from Human Resource Directors and staff are ESSENTIAL!!!


Initial Meeting was held on July 14th and 15th with HR Directors and PSC staff

“Brainstorming” to generate ideas to reduce the complexity associated with rules and procedures

GaPSC/HR State Committee


PSC is initiating the following changes:

1. Move GaTAPP paths certificates under the Intern Teacher (IT) certificate.

The provider determines the path and enters specific designation in www.gapsc.org website;

2. Bring back Broad Field Social Science a Secondary Field;

3. Adjust www.gapsc.org to allow approved system staff to view communications sent to employees


Suggested changes:1. Reduce the number of certificate titles and select names

that are easy to comprehend

2. Increase the number of certificates that can be issued through gapsc.org website

3. Special Ga. Requirement: System determines how to satisfy the requirement (ex. Exceptional Child)

4. Add low incidence fields (vision, drama, etc) through GACE/experience.


Continued suggested changes:

5. Mirror choice in Expresslane with the application for certification

6. Reduce Paperwork duplication

7. Establish PSC-approved levels of

independent certification management

Documents

Certification Division. Certification Rule Changes Unsatisfactory Evaluations &Renewals “An individual who has received two unsatisfactory annual evaluations