rule orientation 505-2-.41 educator certificate upgrades updated as of: may 1, 2011
TRANSCRIPT
Rule Orientation
505-2-.41 Educator Certificate Upgrades
UPDATED AS OF: May 1, 2011
• Background Why Change?
What Changes?
• New Requirements Assistance Tools
• 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
• Redefine certs/levels eligible for upgrade
• 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
Background
GEORGIA PAID $880M IN SALARY INCREASES FOR ALL
ADVANCED DEGREE LEVELS (5-6-7)
Research
October 2007MARCH 2007
• advanced degrees,
• work in schools,
• student achievement, and
• salary increases
Why Change?
We must create a stronger connection between:
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)
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
What Changes?
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
RESOURCE TOOLS
RESOURCE TOOLS
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
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 NCATE, TEAC, or Carnegie RU/VH -- H? No
Is the institution in-state or out-of-state? Argosy – out-of-state
Will this degree result in an upgrade?
Florida & others
No
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 the in-state institution approved by GaPSC?Yes
Is this degree an In-Field or New Field Option?
Will this degree result in an upgrade?
Is the institution in-state or out-of-state?
Yes, it is In-Field
In-state
Yes
(Also Carnegie RU/VH)
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
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 out-of-state institution NCATE, or TEAC, or Carnegie RU/H or RU/VH?
Yes, Liberty Univ is NCATE Accredited
Is the provider/degree program approved by the Virginia Department of Education?
Yes, Liberty Univ/MAT is state-approved
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.
Questions
See the Certificate Upgrade Guidelines at www.gapsc.com Send email inquiries to
Questions?