Teacher Academy for Preparation and Pedagogy (TAPP)

1. Teacher Academy for Preparation and Pedagogy (TAPP) 2014-2015 Information Sessions: Thursday, September 5, 2013; 4:30pm-5:30pm & Wednesday, December 4, 2013; 5:00pm-6:00pm

2. The Clayton County Public Schools (CCPS) provides quality instruction to over 51,000 students The vision of Clayton County Public Schools is to be a district of excellence preparing ALL studentsto live and compete successfully in a global society.

3. The mission of Clayton County Public Schools is to be accountable to all stakeholders for providing a globally competitive education that empowers students to achieve academic and personal goals and to become college and career ready, productive, responsible citizens.

4. Core Belief Statements • We believe children have first priority on all of our resources. • We believe education is the shared responsibility of the student, the parent/guardian, the school, and the community. • We believe communication and understanding among all stakeholders of our diverse community are essential to achieving the goals of education. • We believe that learning is a continuous process and most productive when the needs of the each child are met through instruction provided by competent and caring teachers. • We believe a learning environment where everyone experiences security, care, dignity, and respect is essential.

5. District Strategic Goals • To increase academic achievement for all students in Clayton County Public Schools as evidenced by state, national and international assessment results. • To provide and maintain a safe, orderly, and secure learning environment. • To create an environment that promotes active engagement, accountability, and collaboration of all stakeholders to maximize student achievement. • To effectively communicate the system’s vision and purpose and allow stakeholder involvement in an effort to build understanding and support. • To provide high quality support services delivered on time and within budget to promote academic success in Clayton County Public Schools. • To recruit and retain highly qualified and effective staff.

6. TAPP is a practical field-based program, designed to develop proficient teachers in a timely and economically feasible manner. The same rigorous standards as a traditional teacher-training program are the foundations for this competency-based program. Our Professional Standards Commission (PSC) approved TAPP Program is a rigorous program that: • Meets the critical need for quality teachers in Clayton County Public Schools. • Prepares qualified candidates to earn clear, renewable Georgia teaching certificate(s) and a portfolio assessment. • Provides mentor support at the School and District level as well as practicum experiences.

7. We are seeking outstanding individuals….. who are committed to supporting CCPS in the endeavor of its vision and mission by bringing your educationalbackground, experience, and knowledge to provide a positive impact on the lives of our students. No previous education coursework or experience is required.

8. Starting salary: $35,428.00 up to $49,714.00Applicant Requirements: Bachelor's degree or higher with at least minimum 2.50 GPA on a 4.0 scale Eligible to work in the U.S. No current or previous educator certification Passing scores on allthree parts of the ETS GACE Basic Skills Assessment; Reading, Writing, and, Math (Tests 200, 201, and 202) OR evidence one of the following exemptions: • ACT: English and Math combined score of 43 • GRE: Verbal and Quantitative combined score of 1030 • SAT: Verbal and Math combined score of 1000 • Masters Degree

9. Passing scores on one of the following GACE content assessment exams for the following high needs areas identified: ETS GACE: Mathematics: Test I (022) and II (023) Science: Test I (024) and II (025) Engineering/Technology Education Test I (048) and Test II (049) Early Childhood Education (ECE) Test I (001) and Test II (002) Early Childhood Special Education (ECE) Test I (003) and Test II (004) Spanish: Test I (141) and Test II (142) French: Test I (143) and Test II (144) Healthcare Service (Technician): GACE basic skills only and must have a nursing degree and 2 yrs Occupational experience

10. Requirements for Special Education Teachers: Special Education teachers must have the following curriculums: • Sp Ed General Curriculum (081 & 082), P-12; is the foundation for teaching High functioning students (Interrelated, MID, LD, High functioning Autism, etc) • Sp Ed Adaptive Curriculum (083 & 084), P-12; is the foundation for teaching low functioning students – Severe Special needs, Low functioning Autism, MOID, SID/PID, etc)

11. Special Education continued… • Special Education (087 & 088) this GACE test will give you all content areas to teach(P-8). • High School: individual content area unless the cognitive level of the students is lower than 8th grade then you may have (087 & 088) (P-8); If above 8th grade, must have appropriate content field and grade level(6-12).

12. Passing scores on one of the following GACE content assessment exams for the following high needs areas identified: • Secondary Math • Secondary Science • ECE + • Foreign Language: • French • Spanish • Special Education (all content with adaptive curriculum) CTAE: • Engineering/Technology • Health Care Service • LPN, 2 year occupational experience • Fine Arts: Orchestra

13. Financial Commitment • GACE assessment fees • Once you have begun the program, there is a $1000 fee if you should drop out any time before completion. • Candidates who successfully complete the program and are offered contracts must work for CCPS for at least 3 years or reimburse the school district up to $3000 for program expense. Cost is forgiven at the rate of $1000 per year taught after program completion.

14. Time Commitment Pre-TAPP Essentials Classes: • Offered in the summer and is mandatory for all TAPP candidates Tentative dates: July 14 – 25 from 8am-4pm each day except Friday’s • New Teacher Induction: Tentative dates: July 28 – 31 from 8am-4pm each day • The Essentials class must be completed before entrance into the classroom • TAPP is a 2 year program. • Additional 3 years commitment upon completion of TAPP

15. Please visit www.gace.ets.org for registration and additional details. You may visit the GA Professional Standards Commission website for questions regarding types of certification: www.gapsc.com Application Process: 2014-2015 School Year Complete an online application at www.clayton.k12.ga.us • Submit an information sheet, resume, and a personal statement detailing your desire to participate in the CCPS TAPP program • Submit passing scores on all parts of the GACE Basic Skills Assessments or evidence of exemption. • Submit passing scores of the GACE appropriate content assessment associated with the field in which you desire to teach. • Unofficial transcripts (official transcript will be required only if selected for TAPP)

16. Please include official transcripts from all Colleges and Universities attended application packet. Please send transcripts to the following address: Clayton County Public SchoolsAttn: Teacher Academy for Preparation and Pedagogy (TAPP) Program1058 Fifth Avenue Jonesboro, GA. 30236 Application Deadline: Friday, March 28, 2014After submission of all application materials, selected applicants will be invited to participate in the interview day activities.

17. Latest from GACE: • New website: www.gace.ets.org • The GaPSC is transitioning from Evaluation Systems (ES) to Educational Testing Service (ETS) as the supplier for the GACE assessments (with the exceptions of the Educational Leadership assessment and Professional pedagogy assessment.) • The public email address for the ETS GACE inquiries is: gaceinquiries@ets.org • The ETS Customer Service at 1-855-255-7178. Customer Service Representatives are available Monday-Friday, 7a.m-6p.m (excluding holidays) • Important: Registration for ETS-delivered GACE assessments began on August 19, 2013. • The first ETS-delivered test administration will occur on October 5.

18. Latest from GACE All tests in an assessment must have the same supplier to count toward certification. • Because scores from tests offered by different test suppliers are not comparable, passing scores on tests within an assessment cannot be split between the two suppliers. Examinees must pass all parts of an assessment with the same testing supplier for that assessment to count toward certification. For example, an examinee cannot pass Early Childhood Education Test I with ES and Early Childhood Education Test II with ETS to get credit for completing the Early Childhood GACE assessment. • You will retain credit for any GACE assessment you have already passed (all parts of the assessment must be passed to retain credit).