Certification
Goals
- Ensure all candidates for classified and certified positions meet certification rules and guidelines set forth by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC)
- Streamline the hiring process and ensure candidates selected to be interviewed possess the qualifications required for the role
Objectives
- Thoroughly screen the qualifications of all classified and certified candidates by careful examination of transcripts, certificates, test scores, high school diplomas, evaluations, licenses, leadership certifications, and out of state certification reciprocity
- Apprise Human Resources Managers and Building Level Administrators of key changes, updates, and certification requirements
Responsibilities
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:- Evaluate qualifications for classified and certified employees for initial candidacy; certificate endorsements and upgrades; re-certification; and certificate conversions
- Manage the evaluation tracking process for educators identified with a rating of needs development or unsatisfactory and work with department head to implement a remediation plan
- Provide ongoing training via in-person and virtual platforms to Managers and Administrators regarding key changes and updates to certification requirements
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Certification Requirements
All professional educators in the DeKalb County School District are required to adhere to certification rules and guidelines set forth by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC). According to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) section 20-2-200, all teachers, service personnel, administrators, and paraprofessionals must hold a certificate issued by the GaPSC in the appropriate field, subject, grade level, or assignment.
GaPSC Rule 505-2-01(9) stipulates that it is the responsibility of the individual educator to meet all requirements and to maintain a valid certificate. Professional educators should not allow their educator’s certificates to lapse. Failure to maintain a valid and professionally qualified certificate at all times, in accordance with Georgia Law, may be considered grounds for termination or non-renewal of contract.
The GaPSC handles all matters pertaining to the issuance of teaching certificates in the State of Georgia. For information on eligibility, reciprocity, testing requirements, and applications, please contact the GaPSC directly at www.gapsc.com.
To become a Certified Teacher, you must meet the following requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- GACE Content Assessment in the content area of interest
- For Special Education consultative teachers only – the content test is not required for employment
- GACE Ethics Assessment – Test code 360
- Educators must enroll in a state-approved educator certification program within the first school year of teaching
Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE)
Assessments are required for all professional certificates in the State of Georgia:
- Content Assessment
Tests a variety of content knowledge areas. Each middle grade assessment is a single test that consists of selected-response questions and constructed-response assignments. All other content assessments are composed of two tests. Each test consists of selected-response questions and one or more constructed-response assignments. - Educator Ethics Assessment
The modules focus on professionalism in education in teachers’ and educational leaders’ relationships with their students, their schools, their colleagues, and their communities – as well as on ethical understanding to guide decision making, and the specific regulations and expectations that educators face in Georgia.
For more information about the GACE Assessments, visit gace.ets.org or call 855-225-7178.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Passing score on the GACE Program Admission Assessment or an exemption. An exemption must be documented by a copy of an official score report for an eligible exam;
- Induction level or higher passing score on the appropriate GACE Content Assessment. If you are seeking employment as a consultative Special Education teacher, you are not required to pass the GACE content assessment before being eligible for certification;
- Completion of the Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment (Test Code 360).
- Have completed 2 years of college coursework (60 semester hours) above the remedial level with a grade of “C” or better at a GaPSC-accepted accredited institution, or…
- Have passed the GACE Paraprofessional Assessment and hold a minimum of a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
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- Applicant Vetting Process
- Certificate Endorsements
- Certificate Upgrades
- Re-Certification
- Certificate Conversion
- Certification Audit
- Teacher Performance Evaluations
- Certification Consultation
- Certification 101 Training
- Certification Manager I
kimberly_cooper@dekalbschoolsga.org - 678.676.0349
- Special Projects and Assignments
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