Welcome! GaPSC Updates GASPA Conference November 20, 2013
What HR Needs to Know: Tiered Certification & Ed Leadership GASPA Conference November 20, 2013
Presentation Objective Provide an overview of the proposed tiered certification system emphasizing those parts that most directly impact Human Resources staff in school districts and proposed changes to Educational Leadership rules
Tiered Certification Around the U.S. Georgia one of only 10 states using a single tier system 21 states use a two-tier system include initial & professional (clear renewable) Other states use systems with three or more tiers A sound concept that focuses on raising standards & empowering teachers
Why Move to a Tiered Cert System? Brings education candidates under the Georgia Code of Ethics Addresses the need to focus attention and resources on early career teachers Assures advancement is based on teaching effectiveness, rather than just hanging on Creates a pathway for teachers to advance in the profession while remaining in the classroom
Four Cert Tiers in the Georgia System Induction Pre-Service
Implementation Timeline Professional certificate July 1, 2014 Pre-Service certificate as early as August 2014 & as late as spring 2015 Induction certificate July 1, 2015 Lead Professional certificate July 1, 2015 Advanced Professional certificate - TBD
Pre-Service What You Need to Know EPP requests the certificate for candidates (can t participate in field & clinical experiences without holding the preservice certificate); Admission to candidacy is point at which certificate is issued; Have a successful state/federal background check; and Take the GaPSC ethics assessment (passing score not required)
Pre-Service What You Need to Know Validity period is five years, but Expires upon program completion & recommendation; Invalidated if individual withdraws or is removed from program; May be extended upon request of EPP; Certificate is non-transferable; Withdrawal/dismissal/graduation results in end of certificate validity
Induction What You Need to Know Early career teacher focus Valid for three years; non-renewable, but can be issued a second time (after remediation support) If entry is with Induction level GACE score, must retake or demo high performance Enter profession with edtpa road map 15 rubric scores across five dimensions Opportunity to differentiate induction
Professional What You Need to Know Five-year validity period performancebased or standard Professional learning requirements must be met Performance is demonstrated in one field; all fields on certificate are renewed Can t be renewed if two unremediated needs development, unacceptable, or unsatisfactory
Lead Professional Performance-based certificate Important Requirement: must hold certification in Teacher Leadership (degree or certificate only program) OR certain advanced degrees with an endorsement in Coaching, Teacher Leadership, or Teacher Support Specialist (TSS) If endorsement, must pass teacher leader GACE
Advanced Professional Performance-based certificate Must hold advanced degree in teaching field, curriculum & instruction, or instructional technology OR National Board Certification Renewal: if performance is below required number of exemplary ratings, then renews at Professional level (same is true for Lead Professional)
Additional Information Beyond Induction, all validity periods are five years; if job responsibilities change, the certificate doesn t until renewal Lead Professional & Induction certificates must be implemented together; may have to phase in requirements for Lead Professional so support system is in place for early career teachers
Questions about Tiered Certification?
Educational Leadership Task force at work began during summer to revise leadership rules Initial plan was to make relatively minor revisions related to program entry Plan now to make major revisions to the cert and prep rules Current proposal is to create an entry level leadership tier & an advanced leadership tier
Educational Leadership Entry Tier Level 5 M.Ed. or certificate only program Prepares candidate for leadership positions Below level of principal or superintendent District positions that don t supervise principals Preparation focus is on instructional leadership
Ed Leadership Advanced Tier Level 6 or 7 Ed.S., doctorate, or certificate only program Prepares candidate for leadership position Principal or superintendent District positions that supervise principals Preparation focus is on development of executive leadership skills Preparation is mostly performances in school or district work
Educational Leadership Entry Tier Performances make-up about 1/3 of program End of program assessment is similar to current GACE Advanced Tier Performances make-up about 75% of program End of program assessment is a performance assessment (Missouri has recently developed this instrument)
Educational Leadership Questions?
Contact Information David M. Hill, Ph.D. Director, Educator Preparation & Certification Georgia Professional Standards Commission david.hill@gapsc.com