GASPAUpgrades and Leadership

December 3, 2010

Agenda

• Educator Certificate Upgrades (505-2-.41)• Certificate Requirements

– In-Field (Option 1)– New Field (Option 2)

• Grandfathering Timeline• Upgrades and Reciprocity• New Fields of Certification• Educational Leadership (505-2-.300)• Pre-Service Certification• Master’s Level Certification• Leadership and Reciprocity• Adding the field• HB 455 / 923• Group Exercises• Question & Answer Session

Certificate Level Upgrade Options

Option 1: In-Field

Completion of an advanced degree program in a certification field currently held by the educator.

Degrees offered by Georgia institutions must meet one of the following:

1. The college, school or Department of Education is approved by GaPSC, or2. The institution has a Carnegie Classification of RU/VH or RU/H

Degrees offered by out of state institutions must meet one of the following:

1. The institution is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), or

2. The advanced degree program is accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC), or

3. The institution has a Carnegie Classification of RU/VH or RU/H

.

Let’s Work Through It Together

Therefore, the educator cannot attend Argosy University but can attend Georgia State University.

An educator holds a Clear Renewable Level 4 certificate in French P-12 and is interested in attending Argosy University or Georgia State University to complete a master’s degree program in French Education.

1. Determine if it is an In-Field or New Field Option.

In-field

2. Is the out of state Institution NCATE, TEAC or RU/H or RU/VH?

No

3. Is the In-State college, university or Department of Education approved by GAPSC? Yes

Therefore, the educator can still attend Georgia State University.

By letting you know that this same educator would rather complete a Master’s degree from Georgia State University in Modern and Classical Languages- French Literature and Culture.

Is the Georgia college, school or Department of Education approved by GaPSC?

Yes

Is this degree an acceptable in-field program for French?

Yes

Let’s complicate it a bit…Let’s complicate it a bit…

Certificate Level Upgrade Options

Option 2: New Field

Completion of an advanced degree program in a new certification field.

Degree programs offered by Georgia institutions must meet the following:

• The program is a GaPSC approved Educator Preparation Program.

Degree programs offered by out of state institutions must meet the following:

• The program is approved by the state equivalent of the GaPSC, and• The institution is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

(NCATE), or• The advanced degree program is accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council

(TEAC), or• The institution has a Carnegie Classification of RU/VH or RU/H

Let’s Work Through It Together

An educator holds a Clear Renewable Level 4 certificate in Early Childhood Education and is interested in attending Liberty University to complete a MAT program in Secondary Education.

Determine if it is an In-Field or New Field Option.

New Field

Is the out of state Institution NCATE, TEAC or RU/H or RU/VH?

Yes, NCATE

Is the program approved by the Virginia Department of Education?

Yes

But that’s not all…

New Field

Many institutions offer degrees in fields such as Secondary Education. In order to accept a degree in Secondary Education to add a field, the transcript and recommendation form must list an area of specialization in a field recognized by Georgia. For example: Secondary Education with a specialization in Science.

The educator must also pass the GACE assessments for the Secondary field of specialization and add the field before being eligible to upgrade the certificate.

Upgrades and Reciprocity

Out of state educators applying for initial certification will be evaluated at the highest degree earned based on the transcripts supplied at the time of application.

Those initial educators who hold a professional out of state certificate and satisfied a content test for that certificate will be accepted. The following documents must be submitted for acceptance:

• Copy of the professional certificate with the new field

• Copy of the content area assessment report with the passing score required to add the field.

CHANGE: Georgia educators who hold professional certification and complete an out of state program to upgrade their certificate and add a new field must complete a program that meets Georgia’s Upgrade requirements AND pass the GACE content area assessment. If a test is satisfied for an out of state certificate, Georgia will no longer reciprocate.

Educators who do not take and pass the GACE content area assessment will NOT receive the upgrade OR add the new field to their certificate.

Exception: The only exception is if GACE does not have a content area exam established for the field.

Further Explanation

An educator applies for certification from Florida by holding a Professional certificate in Business Education. The educator also holds a MBA from the University of Florida. However, for Clear Renewable certification, the assessments for Business Education are outlined. You hire this educator and request a Nonrenewable Professional (NT) certificate and we issue a NT5 for three years outlining the assessments.

During the second year of employment, the educator completes an acceptable Specialist degree in Business Education. The requirements to convert the NT5 are not complete when the application is submitted to upgrade. We will deny the request to upgrade until the requirements are met to convert the certificate.

The date for the certificate level upgrade will be the date all requirements are met for the conversion from a NT to a T.

Requirements to Remember

The institutions must hold the specific type of accreditation at the time of admittance for acceptance.

Educators seeking certificate level upgrades through the addition of a new field in conjunction with completion of an advanced degree program must meet all Georgia testing requirements to add the field. Educators must pass the appropriate GACE assessments in order to qualify for a certificate level upgrade.

Educators holding valid Georgia NT, NNT, P and GaTAPP certificates at a level 4 or higher cannot upgrade until they convert to a Clear Renewable certificate.

Educators holding professional certificates below the bachelor’s level may complete a bachelor’s degree in any field for upgrading the certificate level as long as the institution meets accreditation requirements by holding approval through CHEA or USDOE.

The certificate level is still a single level assigned to all certificate fields held by the educator. For example: An educator will NOT hold separate levels for T, S or L certificates.

List of Accreditation Agencies

• The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)– The link: http://www.chea.org/search/search.asp

• The Carnegie Classification for the Advancement of Teaching – RU/VH link: http://classifications.carnegiefoundation.org/lookup_listings/srp.php?

clq={%22basic2005_ids%22%3A%2215%22}&limit=0,50– RU/H link: http://classifications.carnegiefoundation.org/lookup_listings/srp.php?

clq={%22basic2005_ids%22%3A%2216%22}&limit=0,50• Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC)

– The link: http://www.teac.org/membership/teac-members/• US Department of Education (USDOE)

– The link: http://www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)

– The link: http://www.ncate.org/public/listofaccredinst.asp• Educational Leadership Constituent Council

– The Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC) provides program standards to NCATE. The ELCC is composed of three NCATE constituent member associations: ASCD, NAESP, and NASSP.

Pre-Approval Form

Grandfathering Timeline

Georgia educators with certificate levels in place by December 15, 2010 will remain intact.

The grandfathering process for certificate levels will begin on December 15, 2010, and remain in place until July 15, 2011. The process was designed to protect educators who are currently completing a program during the time of the rule change.

As of December 15, 2010, educators must meet two requirements to upgrade their certificates under the previous upgrade rule:

• Educator must be enrolled in a program by July 15, 2011

• Enrolled is defined as admitted to a program and actively completing coursework

AND

Educators enrolled in a program must complete the program within the following time period:

• Master’s degree completed by December 15, 2014

• Educational Specialist degree completed by December 15, 2014

• Doctoral degree completed by December 15, 2016.

New Fields of Certification

Three new fields of certification are being developed for approval:

• Curriculum and Instruction

• Instructional Technology

• Teacher Leadership

The transition plan for these new fields is intended to honor existing programs until the GaPSC Certification and Preparation rules are adopted and GACE assessments are developed. It will also allow time for institutions to adjust programs for approval by the GaPSC or their home state equivalent.

DRAFT GUIDANCE:

All candidates enrolled by January 15, 2013 must complete all Master’s or Specialist degree program requirements by July 15, 2015, or Doctoral degree program requirements by July 15, 2017. Completers of these programs will earn a certificate level upgrade ONLY regardless of program state approval status.

New Fields of Certification

Educators enrolled and completing programs in these fields will continue to earn a certificate level upgrade provided the institution meets one of the following criteria:

• The program is approved by the GaPSC, or

• The institution is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), or

• The advanced degree program is accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC), or

• The institution has a Carnegie Classification of RU/VH or RU/H

A timeline for acceptance will be determined and published in GaPSC guidance. If an educator wants to later add these fields once approved programs are in place, they must affiliate with an approved provider and complete requirements for recommendation along with passing the GACE assessments.

Educational Leadership History

Educational Leadership eligibility prior to September 30, 2009 was based on completion of an approved program at the Master’s level or higher through an in state or out of state program.

On September 30, 2009, Educational Leadership changed when Georgia programs moved to Performance-Based standards. Georgia Performance-Based programs leading to Professional Clear Renewable certification are only at the Specialist and Doctorate levels. Reciprocity was modified so that Georgia educators could no longer go out of state to complete programs. However, we still reciprocated initial professional certificates from out of state at the master’s level. We introduced an Educational Leadership Pre-Service certificate that built a ‘pool’ of educators to qualify for leadership positions by passing the GACE content test and holding a Master’s degree.

On December 15, 2010, Educational Leadership will change once again. The new rule eliminates a field, requires prerequisite coursework for entry into a Performance-Based program and modifies reciprocity for initial applicants that hold professional leadership certificates at the Master’s level.

Let’s take a closer look at these changes.

Educational Leadership Pre-Service Certificate

Previously, the Pre-Service certificate (NL 705) was issued to individuals that held a minimum of a master’s degree from a GaPSC-approved, accredited institution and passed the Praxis Leadership exam by March 15, 2008 or GACE Leadership exam.

The educator did not have to be employed or pay a fee for the issuance of the certificate.

The NL 705 also held its own five-year validity period independent of any other certificate fields held by the educator.

New Rule Requirements

NL 705 certificates issued prior to December 15, 2010, will remain intact and continue through their end validity dates. They cannot be renewed.

As of December 15, 2010, no new NL 705 certificates will be issued. The NL 705 certificate will be discontinued.

Educators who hold a NL 705 certificate by December 15, 2010, can use that certificate to enter a Georgia state approved Performance Based Educational Leadership program without having to complete the pre-requisite leadership coursework.

Master’s Level Nonrenewable Certification

Georgia educators who hold professional certification, have a master’s degree or higher in leadership and have been accepted into a Georgia Performance Based Leadership program at a level 6 or higher are eligible for a 5 year NPL certificate at the request of an employing school system.

Georgia educators who hold professional certification, have a master’s degree or higher in an education or non-education field, must successfully complete leadership coursework before being accepted into a Georgia Performance Based Leadership program at level 6 or higher.

• The leadership coursework must include up to 6 semester hours of courses to include a course in school law and ethics, organizational leadership and teaching and learning with a focus on using data in the school improvement process.

• Until August 31, 2011, Georgia Performance Based Leadership programs will still require the GACE Leadership assessment for admittance into the program.

Leadership and ReciprocityOut of State (OOS) Educators

Educators applying for initial leadership certification in Georgia after December 15, 2010 will continue to receive full reciprocity under three conditions.

1. The out of state approved program is at the Specialist or Doctorate level.2. The out of state approved program completed after 12/15/10 is at the Master’s level and the educator has

three years of acceptable leadership experience while holding a professional leadership certificate.3. The out of state approved program at the Master’s level was completed prior to December 15, 2010.

Content assessments required for certification in that state will be accepted in Georgia. The educator mustalso satisfy all Special Georgia Requirements to receive Clear Renewable L certification. They will not receive Performance Based certificates. Non-Renewable Certification

If an educator has not completed all of the Special Georgia Requirements, GaPSC will issue a one yearnon-renewable certificate at the request of an employing school system to allow the educator time to meet theoutstanding requirements.

Employed Georgia Educators Completing Out of State Programs

Non-GaPSC approved schools will not be eligible for full interstate reciprocity. Employed Georgia educatorscompleting OOS programs can upgrade their certificate provided the college meets the accreditation and newUpgrade Rule requirements; however, they cannot add the field of Educational Leadership to their professionalGeorgia certificate.

Let’s Work Through It Together

An educator holds a Professional certificate from New York in School Building Leader at the Master’s level and is applying for certification in Georgia 12/31/10.

What do we need to know to determine eligibility in Georgia?

When was the leadership program completed?

What if the program was completed 12/21/10?

The educator would not qualify for professional certification because he or she would not have three years of acceptable experience while holding a professional certificate. We would issue a NPL upon the request of a system to allow this educator time to complete a Performance-Based program.

October 1, 2008

We will reciprocate the certificate and the educator will be eligible for a L or NL certificate if there are outstanding requirements.

Adding Leadership

To add leadership to any Georgia Clear Renewable Professional certificate, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

•Complete a Georgia state-approved Performance Based Leadership program at level 6 or 7.

•Receive a recommendation from the approved program provider.

•Pass the appropriate Georgia content assessment exam.

•Meet all Special Georgia Requirements that apply at the time of application.

To apply for certification

In addition to the items listed above, the educator must provide the following:

•Application for certification

•Employer assurance form or $20.00 application processing fee

•Official transcript from the institution showing the completed coursework for the leadership program.

Reminders: Building and System Level Leadership

If an individual holds a Clear Renewable Building-Level certificate and is reassigned to a System-Level position, the school system may request the issuance of the NPL in System-Level. The certificate will be valid for three years to complete program requirements.

If an individual holds a Clear Renewable System-Level certificate and is reassigned to a Building-Level position, the school system may request the issuance of the NPL in Building-Level. The certificate will be valid for three years to complete program requirements.

Educators assigned to the position of Superintendent must hold both the Building-Level and System-Level certificates.

All Georgia approved Performance-Based programs leading to Clear Renewable certification are at the Specialist or Doctorate levels.

HB 455 / 923

Regardless of position – Paid for leadership degree

earned by July 1, 2010

Regardless of position – Paid for leadership degree

if enrolled in a program by April 1, 2009 and the

degree is completed by• July 1, 2012 for master’s degree

• July 1, 2013 for specialist degree

• July 1, 2014 for doctoral degree

Otherwise, paid for leadership degree only if working

in a leadership position

Let’s Work Through It Together

An educator currently holding certification in Special Education General Curriculum P-12 at level 5 completed an approved Specialist degree Performance-Based program at Mercer University October 15, 2010.

What do we need to know to determine if HB 923 will impact this educator?

When was the educator enrolled in the leadership program?

Is the educator placed in a leadership position?

Therefore, this educator will receive an increase in level from 5 to 6 but will NOT be paid for the degree until placed in a leadership position.

July 10, 2009

The educator was not enrolled by the grandfathering date of April 1, 2009.

No

Let’s take a look at a few emails our office received regarding the Upgrade and Leadership Rules.

Question 1

Will a Doctorate in Education, with no concentration, from Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee ensure a pay raise for a teacher that stays in the classroom ? I have an EdS in Middle Grades Education from Mercer University.

Answer

Hello.  Thank you for your recent inquiry to the Professional Standards Commission (PSC) Certification Division concerning the proposed certification upgrade rule and completing an advanced degree at Lincoln Memorial University.  As long as you are actively enrolled in coursework in the program on or prior to 7/15/11 and complete your degree according to the time-line listed below, you are “grandfathered” and your certificate will be upgraded to the appropriate degree level.   

Master’s degrees:Enrolled by:  7/15/11

Completed by:  12/15/14 Specialist degrees:

Enrolled by:  7/15/11Completed by: 12/15/14

Doctoral degrees:Enrolled by: 7/15/11

Completed by: 12/15/16  

Please note an upgrade usually results in a salary increase.  However, salary is determined by the local school system and Department of Education regulations and not the PSC.  Therefore, please refer all questions regarding salary adjustments to your school system

personnel director.

Question 2

I am seeking a Master in Education in Educational Leadership.  I looked on the PSC website for approved programs.  I am  considering earning a Master in Education in Educational Leadership through Capella University.  However, they were not on the list, and I wanted to inquire about if I go through Capella and pass the GACE, will the PSC recognize this as a clear renewable on my certificate. I currently hold a T4 certificate through the state of Georgia.Thank you for your time.

AnswerThank you for your recent inquiry to the Professional Standards Commission (PSC) Certification Division concerning the proposed certification upgrade rule and completing an advanced degree at Capella University.  As long as you are actively enrolled in coursework in the advanced degree program on or prior to 7/15/11 and complete your degree according to the time-line, you are “grandfathered” and your certificate will be upgraded to the appropriate degree level.   

Please note, an upgrade usually results in a salary increase.  However, salary is determined by the local school system and Department of Education regulations and not the PSC.  Therefore, please refer all questions regarding salary adjustments to your school system personnel director.

 IMPORTANT NOTE: Although you can apply to upgrade your certificate to a higher degree level IF you start and complete your advanced degree within the time lines outlined above, unfortunately, you will not qualify to add certification in Educational Leadership.  Effective 9/30/09, out-of-state leadership certification programs are no longer acceptable for Georgia certified educators to complete to qualify to add leadership certification in Georgia.  After this time, Georgia certified educators must complete the new Georgia PSC-approved performance-based leadership program at the Specialist (Level 6) or Doctoral (Level 7) degree level. 

 

Question 3

I am currently provisionally certified in ECE and looking to complete my Master's in order to retain my certification. I have looked through the information on the website, but have been unable to find all the information I need.  I am considering two program options and would like to know if they are currently approved programs that will satisfy my requirement to convert my certificate from provisional to renewable.

 The programs are: American College of Education - Master's in Education (Curriculum and Instruction) (Regionally Accredited)

 Western Governor's University - Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Preparation Program (K-8) (nationally, regionally, NCATE, and CCNE accredited)

 I really appreciate your help!

AnswerTo qualify to convert your Non-Professional certificate in Early Childhood to Clear Renewable status, you must complete a “state-approved” teacher certification preparation program and receive a recommendation for professional certification.  Unfortunately, the master’s program at the American College of Education in Curriculum and Instruction would not be acceptable to convert your Non-Professional certificate.  Although the institution is regionally accredited, it appears that this program is not state-approved by the Illinois Department of Education. 

If the post-baccalaureate program at Western Governors University (WGU) is state-approved by the Utah Department of Education, then this program would be acceptable for professional certification in Georgia, and if you successfully complete this program, you can apply to convert your Non-Professional certificate to Clear Renewable.  In addition to completing the program, though, you would still have to complete any special Georgia certification requirements such as 3 semester hours of college credit in identifying and educating exceptional children.  WGU may be able to include this course in your program, should you decide to complete this program.

Question 4

I currently hold a T-5 in Mathematics and am planning to complete a Ph.D. degree at Georgia Tech in mathematics. Will this advanced degree be acceptable for a certification upgrade based on the new upgrade rule?

Answer

The Georgia Institute of Technology currently holds Carnegie Classification of RU/VH. You may complete a higher degree in your field of mathematics through this institution to upgrade your current certificate.

Question 5

I currently hold a T4 in English and am planning to enroll in a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree program in drama at Yale University to add drama. Will this advanced degree be acceptable for a T-5 in English and add certification in Drama?

Answer

Thank you for your thought provoking question. In order to qualify to upgrade your certification, you must first add the field of Drama to your certificate in English. Since there are limited Georgia approved programs in Drama and currently no GACE assessment, a degree in Drama from Yale University will allow you to add the field. Once you have completed the degree and added the field, you will qualify to upgrade to higher degree because Yale holds a Carnegie classification of RU/VH.

Question 6

I hold a T-6 in Physics and Science and plan to enroll at Walden University to complete a Doctor of Education degree in Science Education in August 2011. Will this advanced degree meet the new guidelines for a certification upgrade?

Answer

Unfortunately, Walden University does not meet the GaPSC accreditation requirements outlined in our Educator Certificates Upgrade Rule. This institution does not hold NCATE, TEAC or Carnegie Classification of RU/H or RU/VH. Therefore, earning a higher degree from this institution will not qualify you for an upgrade.

Question 7

I hold a T4 in Special Education General Curriculum and plan to complete the state-approved Master of Education degree in School Counseling at the University of West Alabama in January of 2012. I began my program in July 2010 and plan to pass the Praxis test in School Counseling and apply for certification in School Counseling in Alabama and then transfer it to Georgia. Will I still be required to pass the GACE tests in School Counseling?

Answer

Georgia recently modified procedures for meeting the Special Georgia Requirement: Content Knowledge Assessment with rule changes effective December 15, 2010. Since you are a current Georgia educator completing an out-of-state approved master’s program after this date, you are required to pass our GACE assessment for the field of School Counseling before you are eligible to add the field. However, you will meet the grandfathering timeline to upgrade your current T4 certificate to T5 upon completion of the higher degree.

Question 1

I have a few questions regarding the change in the Educational Leadership certification. My husband and I are both educators in Georgia. He is thinking about going back to school to pursue an Ed.S in Educational Leadership. However, he was planning on attending Nova Southeastern University. He knows that program is Florida certified and would have to take the GACE in Leadership to fulfill all Georgia requirements. Is that all he has to do for the state of Georgia? We want to make sure before he starts the program and is told he will not be able to receive credit from the state of Georgia. We are aware he will not be paid for the degree until he is hired into a Leadership position. We just want to make sure the state of Georgia will except Nova.

Answer

Hello.  Effective 9/30/09, out-of-state leadership certification programs are no longer acceptable for Georgia certified educators to complete to qualify for leadership certification.  Therefore, the Nova specialist program in Educational Leadership would not be acceptable for adding certification in Educational Leadership in Georgia.  Also, the reciprocity agreement has been modified in Georgia for leadership certification.  A Georgia certified educator may no longer complete a leadership program in another state and apply for certification in Educational Leadership in that state and transfer it back to Georgia. Georgia educators are now required to complete the new Georgia PSC-approved performance-based leadership certification program at the Specialist (Level 6) or doctoral (Level 7) degree level.  A list of all Georgia institutions offering the approved performance-based leadership program is available on our website at www.gapsc.com.  Please contact the approved Georgia leadership program provider for all program entrance requirements.

Question 2

I hold an S-5 in School Social Work and I am currently working as a social worker in ____ County. I plan to enroll in October 2011 and complete an Educational Specialist degree at Central Michigan University in Administration and Supervision. Central Michigan holds NCATE accreditation. Will the PSC accept this degree program to qualify me for certification in Educational Leadership in Georgia, provided I pass the GACE tests in leadership? Could I complete this degree and qualify for an S-6 in Social Work and then complete a performance-based leadership certification-only program at Mercer University and add on leadership certification? Once I add the field of Educational Leadership, will I continue to be paid specialist pay even though I am not working in a leadership position?

Answer

I am happy to assist you with your questions regarding completion of a program in Administration and Supervision with Central Michigan University. CMU does not have an approved Performance-Based Leadership program. Therefore, completion of a degree in Administration and Supervision will not lead to certification in Educational Leadership. Also, you will not qualify to upgrade your current S5 certificate because this field does not meet In-Field requirements for the certification field of Social Work. You must enroll in a Georgia approved Performance-Based Leadership program at the Specialist or Doctorate Level to qualify for professional certification in Georgia. Upon completion of the program and issuance of the PL certificate in Educational Leadership, you must be placed in a leadership position before you would be paid for the degree.

Question 3

I have a current Master's in Educational Leadership degree, which I obtained in 2007. I will finish my Specialist's Degree in Educational Leadership from Columbus State University in December 2010. I began my Specialist in June 2009. I am currently employed as a teacher. Will I be paid for my specialist degree since I am still employed as a teacher or will I have to move into a Leadership role to be paid for it? And, what are acceptable leadership roles?

AnswerHello. An educator who earns a leadership degree may be “grandfathered” to be paid/continue to be paid at the highest degree level when the degree meets the following:  the degree is earned by July 1, 2010, or if enrolled in a program by April 1, 2009 and the degree is completed by July 1, 2012 for master’s degree, July 1, 2013 for education specialist degree and July 1, 2014 for a doctoral degree.  If an educator holds a leadership degree that is grandfathered, and after July 1, 2014 earns another leadership degree, the leadership degree earned after July 1, 2014 will not be grandfathered. 

Please note that “enrolled” is defined as admitted to a program and actively taking course work. 

Based on the above information and the information you provided, it appears that you already have a leadership master’s degree that was grandfathered since it was earned prior to the rule changes.  So as long as Columbus State verifies you were enrolled in your advanced leadership degree program by April 1, 2009 and you complete your specialist leadership degree prior to July 1, 2014 you should be OK to upgrade your certificate level and continue to be paid at the advanced degree level.  Please note an upgrade usually results in a salary increase.  However, salary is determined by the local school system and Department of Education regulations and not the PSC.  Therefore, please refer all questions regarding salary adjustments to your school system personnel director

Question 4

I live in North Carolina and in June of 2012 my family and I will be relocating to Georgia. Currently, I hold professional licensure in Early Childhood Education and will be completing an Educational Leadership program in December of 2011. For the last 4 years I have been teaching 3rd grade in our local public school system. When I move to Georgia, I am interested in working as a principal. What do I need to do to apply for certification and will my degree in Educational Leadership be acceptable in Georgia?

AnswerWe are pleased that you are contemplating a move to our beautiful state.

You may apply for certification based on reciprocity from North Carolina.

Please download and submit the application package along with

appropriate documentation. We will review your transcripts and teaching

experience to determine if you meet Special Georgia Requirements by

passing a content test in NC for ECE or by experience. Unfortunately,

reciprocity for the field of Educational Leadership has been modified

effective December 15, 2010. Individuals completing an Educational

Leadership program at the Master’s level after December 15, 2010 and applying for

initial Georgia certification must enroll and complete a Performance-Based

Georgia Leadership program at the Specialist or Doctorate level for

professional certification. You may choose to remain in NC, secure professional

certification in Leadership, obtain a position as an administrator and complete three

years of successful experience and apply for certification in Georgia after meeting

those requirements. Georgia will then reciprocate your degree, certificate and

experience for professional certification.

Question 5

I would like to ask a question regarding the proposed changes to degree certification/upgrades. I am presently completing an Ed.S/Ed.D degree program with Lincoln Memorial University. I am scheduled to earn my Ed.S degree on July 16, 2011. I am planning to continue my studies to earn my terminal degree (Ed.D), which begins immediately following my Ed.S coursework completion. This means that my coursework will begin in August for the Ed.D program. However, I will apply and receive an acceptance letter into my doctoral program, prior to completing my Ed.S degree. With this being said, if I roll into the doctoral program with Lincoln Memorial University, will I still be grand-fathered in under the new proposed timeline for completing my doctoral degree in Educational Leadership by 2016? I appreciate any help or assistance that you can offer with this question.

Answer

Thank you for your recent inquiry to the Professional Standards Commission (PSC) Certification Division concerning

the proposed certification upgrade rule and completing an advanced degree at Lincoln Memorial University in

Educational Leadership.  As long as you are actively enrolled in coursework in the program on or prior to 7/15/11 and

complete your degree according to the time-line, you are “grandfathered” and your certificate will be

upgraded to the appropriate degree level. 

NOTE: The term “enrolled” is defined as admitted to a program and actively participating in coursework.     

It appears from the additional information you provided that your Ed.S. degree would fall within

the grandfathering timelines outlined above.  Unfortunately, it appears that the Ed.D. degree would not meet the

grandfathering timelines as you would not be actively participating in coursework until after the July 15, 2011

deadline.  Regrettably, the Ed.D degree would not be acceptable for a certification upgrade as it does not meet either

of the two options outlined in the new guidelines for advanced degrees. 

  

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Although you can qualify to upgrade your certificate to a higher degree level provided you enroll

and complete your advanced degree within the grandfathering timelines outlined above, unfortunately, you will not

qualify to add certification in Educational Leadership as, effective 9/30/09, out-of-state leadership certification

preparation programs are no longer acceptable for Georgia educators to complete to add certification in Educational

Leadership.  After this date, Georgia educators are required to complete a GaPSC approved performance-based

leadership certification preparation program.     

QUESTIONS ?