Rule Orientation

1. Rule Orientation 505-2-.41 Educator Certificate Upgrades UPDATED AS OF: May 1, 2011

2. Session Overview • Background Why Change? What Changes? • New Requirements Assistance Tools • Timeline Grandfathering • ….Still to Come

3. Background • Certificate “level” is based on highest degree earned (4, 5, 6, or 7) • Higher certificate level = salary increase • Redefine certs/levels eligible for upgrade • 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

4. Background • In AY 2008-09, Georgia paid $68M in salary increases for “Unused Leadership Degrees” • Resulted in 2009 and 2010 Legislative Action (HB455-HB923), phased-in elimination of leadership degree salary upgrades for those not employed in a leadership position GEORGIA PAID $880M IN SALARY INCREASES FOR ALL ADVANCED DEGREE LEVELS (5-6-7)

5. Research MARCH 2007 October 2007

6. Why Change? We must create a stronger connection between: • advanced degrees, • work in schools, • student achievement, and • salary increases

7. What Changes? 1.) Narrow the degree 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)

8. What Changes? 2.) Raise the bar for providers ... 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

9. Option 1: In-Field Requirements 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

10. Option 1: In-Field Requirements Institution MUST BE: If In-StateGaPSC-approved, or Carnegie Classification of RU/VH or RU/H RU/VH – Research Univ/Very High Research Activity If Out-of-StateNCATE, or TEAC, or Carnegie Classification of RU/VH or RU/H

11. www.gapsc.com

12. RESOURCE TOOLS

13. RESOURCE TOOLS

17. Provider Quick Reference Tool

18. Option 2: New Field Requirements 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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.

22. Timeline & Grandfathering • 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)

23. Grandfathering Dates • 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

24. …Still to Come • Three new Service Certificate fields: • Curriculum and Instruction (P-12) • Instructional Technology (P-12) • Teacher Leadership (P-12) • Standards and Rules • IHE Program Development & Approval • GACE Content Assessments

25. …Still to Come (3 Certs) 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. • 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 athttp://www.gapsc.com/Policies_guidelines/documents/Transition_Plan_New_Fields.pdf

26. Sample Scenario A Georgia educator holds a Clear Renewable Level 4 certificate in French (P-12). The educator is interested in completing a master’s degree program in French education at Argosy University. Is the degree an In-Field or New Field Option? Yes, it is In-Field Is the institution in-state or out-of-state? Argosy – out-of-state Florida & others Is the institution NCATE, TEAC, or Carnegie RU/VH -- H? No Will this degree result in an upgrade? No So, Georgia will accept professional out-of-state certificates to establish professional certification. However, the individual will be subject to our Special Georgia Requirements if they did not meet them for the professional out-of-state certificate.

27. Sample Scenario The same Georgia educator (Clear Renewable Level 4 French certificate) decides to look into a Master’s degree from Georgia State University in “Modern and Classical Languages—French Literature and Culture”. Is this degree an In-Field or New Field Option? Yes, it is In-Field Is the institution in-state or out-of-state? In-state Is the in-state institution approved by GaPSC? Yes (Also Carnegie RU/VH) Will this degree result in an upgrade? Yes So, Georgia will accept professional out-of-state certificates to establish professional certification. However, the individual will be subject to our Special Georgia Requirements if they did not meet them for the professional out-of-state certificate.

28. Question? If I add a new field… do I have to be working in that field in order to receive an upgrade and salary increase? NO So, Georgia will accept professional out-of-state certificates to establish professional certification. However, the individual will be subject to our Special Georgia Requirements if they did not meet them for the professional out-of-state certificate.

29. Sample Scenario A Georgia educator holds a Clear Renewable Level 4 certificate in Early Childhood Education (P-5). The educator is interested in attending Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA) to complete an MAT program in Secondary Education. Is the degree an In-Field or New Field Option? Yes, it is a New Field Is the provider/degree program approved by the Virginia Department of Education? Yes, Liberty Univ/MAT is state-approved Is the out-of-state institution NCATE, or TEAC, or Carnegie RU/H or RU/VH? Yes, Liberty Univ is NCATE Accredited So, Georgia will accept professional out-of-state certificates to establish professional certification. However, the individual will be subject to our Special Georgia Requirements if they did not meet them for the professional out-of-state certificate.

30. Yes…but wait Many institutions offer degrees in fields such as “Secondary Education”. In order to add a new field with a degree in Secondary Education, the transcript and recommendation form must list an area of specialization in a field recognized by Georgia. For example: Liberty University has a Degree in “Secondary Education with a specialization in Science”. The educator must also pass the GACE assessments for the specific Secondary field of specialization, meet all other certification requirements and add the field before being eligible for the upgrade. So, Georgia will accept professional out-of-state certificates to establish professional certification. However, the individual will be subject to our Special Georgia Requirements if they did not meet them for the professional out-of-state certificate.

31. Questions Questions? See the Certificate Upgrade Guidelines at www.gapsc.com Send email inquiries to certupgrade@gapsc.com