Leadership Certification

Transcription

1 Leadership Certification

2 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.

3 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.

4 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.

5 Leadership and Reciprocity Out 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, Content assessments required for certification in that state will be accepted in Georgia. The educator must also 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 year non-renewable certificate at the request of an employing school system to allow the educator time to meet the outstanding requirements. Employed Georgia Educators Completing Out of State Programs Non-GaPSC approved schools will not be eligible for full interstate reciprocity. Employed Georgia educators completing Out of State programs can upgrade their certificate provided the college meets the accreditation and new Upgrade Rule requirements; however, they cannot add the field of Educational Leadership to their professional Georgia certificate.

6 Example of Educator from Out of State 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? 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. 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.

7 Adding Leadership to a Current GA Certificate 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.

8 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.

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10 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

11 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, What do we need to know to determine if HB 923 will impact this educator? When was the educator enrolled in the leadership program? July 10, 2009 The educator was not enrolled by the grandfathering date of April 1, Is the educator placed in a leadership position? No Therefore, this educator will receive an increase in certificate level from 5 to 6 but will NOT be paid for the degree until placed in a leadership position.

12 Let s take a look at a few s the GaPSC received regarding the Leadership Rules.

13 Question 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.

14 Answer 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 performancebased leadership program at the Specialist (Level 6) or Doctoral (Level 7) degree level.

15 Question 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.

16 Answer 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 Please contact the approved Georgia leadership program provider for all program entrance requirements.

17 Question 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?

18 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.

19 Question I have a current Master's in Educational Leadership degree, which I obtained in I will finish my Specialist's Degree in Educational Leadership from Columbus State University in December I began my Specialist in June 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?

20 Answer 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

21 Question 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 For the last 4 years I have been teaching 3 rd 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?

22 Answer We 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, 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.

23 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, 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.

24 Answer 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.