CERTIFICATE RENEWAL

CERTIFICATE RENEWAL

Teachers who hold a certificate must apply to have the certificate renewed. The following steps should be followed to apply to renew a certificate or apply for a new field or higher degree certificate.

1. Contact the school principal or your immediate supervisor and ask for the appropriate application form:

a. Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC) Application for Certification form is for applying for an initial Georgia certificate, converting a conditional certificate to clear renewable status, adding a new field, or upgrading to a higher degree level or applying for a conditional certificate (BT or PAT).

b. System/Agency Application for Renewal of Employee’s Clear Renewable Certificate Fields form is for teachers who wish to renew any existing clear renewable professional certificate - only official college transcripts are required for documentation when renewal credit includes college coursework.

2. To renew a certificate using the System/Agency Application for Renewal of Employee’s Clear Renewable Certificate Fields form, no documentation is necessary if staff development taken in the Columbia County School System is used for the ten hours of renewal credit. Submit copies of staff development forms taken through the Georgia Department of Education or any other school system. Submit official college transcripts if renewal hours are college or university courses.

3. To apply for a certificate transaction which requires the use of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission Application form, attach any of the following documentation which apply:

a. Copy of staff development form for a required course

b. Official college transcripts of required courses and/or degrees

c. Copy of certification assessment scores if required

d. Money order or bank cashier’s check for $20 made payable to the State of Georgia only when requesting probationary (BT or PAT) certificates

e. If verification of work experience is required for your transaction, please notify the Personnel Department to request that this be attached to your application prior to submission to the Professional Standards Commission.

4. Send the completed application forms and required supporting documentation to:

Human Resources

Columbia County School System

205 Johns Street

Grovetown, GA 30813

You may wish to put the materials in the “Pony” or hand carry them to the office in Grovetown. Materials sent to teacher certification without verification of employment will be returned to the applicant for a $20 application fee.

Should you need clarification of these procedures or information regarding special circumstances, please contact Human Resources for additional information.

CERTIFICATE RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS EFFECTIVE AS A RESULT OF A PLUS EDUCATION REFORM ACT OF 2000

Questions and Answers Related to Implementation of HB 1187

A Plus Education Reform Act of 2000

New Certification Renewal Requirements

Implementation Timeline

Certificates Expiring

6/30/01

Certificates Expiring

6/30/03

Certificates Expiring

6/30/04

Certificates Expiring

6/30/05

*Certificates Expiring

6/30/06

Criminal record check required for certificate renewal

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None

Unsatisfactory annual performance evaluations must be addressed during 5-year cycle for certificate renewal

In Tech or PSC-Approved Training/Course Equivalent

*All certificated personnel must meet the technology requirement by June 30, 2006

________________________________________________________________________

I. Criminal Record Check

Legal Reference: Code Section 20-2-211; Subsection (e)(1)

(e)(1) All personnel employed by a local unit of administration after July 1, 2000,

Teachers, principals, and other certificated personnel whose employment in a local unit of administration is renewed pursuant to this subpart after July 1, 2000, shall have a criminal record check made as required by this subsection upon any certificate renewal application to the Professional Standards Commission.

Professional Standards Reference: Rule 505-2-.13 Standard Renewal Requirements;

Subsection (6)

(6) A criminal record check shall be required of any educator employed in a local unit of administration who applies for renewal of a certificate expiring after July 1, 2000

1. Does every Georgia public school educator have to get a criminal record check in order to renew his or her certificate?

This requirement applies to all certificated educators employed in a Georgia

school/system (public or private). The requirement does not apply to employees of state agencies

2. Is fingerprinting also required for certificate renewal?

Yes, fingerprinting is also required for all certificated educators, if they were not fingerprinted when employed in their current Georgia school/system.

3. When do I have to get the criminal record check?

The criminal record check and fingerprinting can be done anytime during the school year in which the certificate expires. Your Georgia employer may apply for renewal of your certificate, if they certify that the criminal record check and fingerprinting have been requested from the appropriate authorities.

4. Can PSC do the criminal background check?

To date, the PSC has been unsuccessful at being approved by state law authorities to do the criminal record check for educators who are renewing their certificates;

therefore, both the criminal record check and fingerprinting are the responsibilities of the certificated educator, unless the school employer advises otherwise.

5. I am Georgia certificated but I am not currently employed in a Georgia school. What type of criminal background check applies to me?

If you are not employed in a Georgia school, you are exempt from both the criminal record check and fingerprinting until such time that you resume such employment in the state.

6. When is this requirement effective?

This requirement is effective for educators whose Georgia certificates expire as of

6/30/01, or after.

7. Who determines if I pass the criminal record check?

For educators employed in Georgia schools, your school employer will review the criminal record check to determine if there are offenses and refer such cases to the PSC for investigation.

8. I am employed by a public school system but I want to renew my own certificate. Is this possible?

No, as a public school employee, your renewal must be handled by your school system employer who will maintain all renewal records.

9. Who pays for the criminal record check?

It is the responsibility of the employee to pay for them, unless your school employer advises you otherwise.

Professional Standards Reference: Rule 505-2-.13 Standard Renewal Requirements;

Subsection (9)

(9)For certificates that expire June 30, 2001, or after, an applicant for renewal must

demonstrate that he or she has worked as a teacher in a classroom for not less than five

days during each school year beginning on or after July 1, 2000, or has completed a

PSC-approved teacher training course.

(a) At the request of an employing Georgia school system/agency, the

individual may apply to the Commission for a one-year nonrenewable

certificate. During the one-year validity, the individual must demonstrate that

he or she has completed a PSC-approved teacher training course.

(b) When the PSC-approved teacher training course requirement has been

addressed, the individual may apply for clear renewable certification.

1. What is a day?

A day in this instance is interpreted as the equivalent of a full classroom teacher day.

2. What certificated persons must meet this requirement?

Unless otherwise noted, any employed Georgia public school educator who holds Clear Renewable certification has to meet this requirement. The Superintendent and all other superintendents (Associates, Deputies, Assistants, etc.) who hold line authority over supervision evaluation of instruction with schools must meet the requirement. School principals and assistant principals holding leadership certification must also meet the requirement. Educators certificated and employed in a service field position do not have to meet this requirement, even if they also hold a Clear Renewable teaching certificate. Educators who hold only teaching certification and are employed in a central office position do not have to meet this requirement.

3. Since public school renewals have to be done through the ACRES renewal system, does any other type documentation have to be sent to PSC?

Yes, each system superintendent or his/her designee must provide the Executive

Secretary of the PSC with a list of names and certificate numbers of all central office leadership certificated personnel holding line authority over supervision or evaluation of instruction with schools.

4. My certificate expires this year and I am not employed. Does this requirement apply to me?

No, you can renew your certificate without meeting this requirement until such time that you resume employment in a Georgia school.

5. I am Georgia certificated but I am teaching out-of-state. Does this apply to me?

No, you can renew your certificate without meeting this requirement until such time that you resume employment in a Georgia school.

6. When is this requirement effective?

It is effective for certificates that expire as of 6/30/01, or after.

7. The PSC rule says that I can complete one PSC-approved teacher training course for each certificate renewal cycle rather than teach in a classroom five days per year.

Hope does this work?

The PSC has developed criteria that will be applied to teacher training courses that school systems, RESAs, and other approved PSC course providers want to consider offering. Applications for these courses may be downloaded by going to

http://gapsc.com/TeacherEducation/Documents/IE_App.pdf . During this first year of implementation, such offerings may be limited due to the time that is necessary to put all procedures in place; therefore, educators with certificates expiring as of 6/30/01 should strongly consider teaching in the classroom for five days.

8. How many courses are necessary to meet the 5 days requirement for each renewal cycle?

One 5 SDU/3 Semester Hour teacher training course meets all of the FIVE days of

classroom teaching requirement for each certificate renewal cycle.

II. Test of Computer Skill Competency

Legal Reference: Code Section 20-2-200; Subsection (b)(2)

(b)(2) Before granting a renewable certificate to an applicant, the commission is

authorized to require the applicant to demonstrate satisfactory proficiency on a test of computer skill competency,. Successful completion of the phase one InTech model training at a state educational technology center or by a State Board of Education approved redelivery team shall be acceptable for certificate renewal purposes.

Professional Standards Reference: Rule 505-2-.13 Standard Renewal Requirements;

Subsection (7)

(7) Effective July 1, 2001, an applicant for renewal shall have either demonstrated

satisfactory proficiency on a PSC-approved test of computer skill competency or

completed a PSC-approved training/course equivalent.

Professional Standards Reference: Rule 505-2-.08 Special Georgia Requirement;

Subsection (1)(f)

(1)(f) Computer Skill Competency. Effective July 1, 2001, any person certified in any field shall demonstrate satisfactory proficiency on a PSC-approved test of computer skill competency or complete a PSC-approved training/course equivalent. Holding National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) valid certification will satisfy the computer skill competency requirement.

1. Are any Georgia certificated educators exempt from this requirement?

No, this is a Special Georgia Requirement that must be met by all certificated persons in order to renew their Clear Renewable certificate. Such persons who are not currently employed or are teaching out-of-state will only be eligible for a one-year nonrenewable certificate, until such time that they meet this requirement. Procedures will be in place for a PSC-approved training/course option to allow such persons to be compliant.

2. When is this requirement effective?

All certificated personnel must meet the technology requirement by June 30, 2006. Each school system will be required to certify to the PSC that all of its professionally certificated personnel meet this technology requirement as of June 30, 2006.

3. When will the test and the PSC-approved technology competency course be

available?

The PSC has adopted standards criteria that will be applied to development of both the test-out option and the technology training course that school systems, RESAs, and other approved PSC providers want to consider offering. The test-out option is an electronic portfolio and an on-the-job performance assessment, rather than a paper-pencil test or a commercially prepared software test. Applications for this option are now available and may be downloaded by going to http://gapsc.com/TeacherEducation/Documents/Tech_App.pdf. The technology

standards upon which all courses and tests must be based may be downloaded by going to http://gapsc.com/TeacherEducation/Documents/TechStandards.pdf.

4. The law says InTech is an acceptable alternative to passing the Test of Computer Competency Skill test. How does this work?

Phase one InTech model training is by law acceptable for meeting this requirement. Documentation (certificate issued by technology training center) must be provided to your school system personnel office for their certification renewal records.

5. Does this requirement have to be met every time I renew my certificate?

No, once you have satisfied this requirement, you do not have to do it again.

III. Two Unsatisfactory Annual Performance Evaluations

Legal Reference: Code Section 20-2-200; Subsection (b)(8)

(8) An individual who has received two unsatisfactory annual performance evaluations in the previous five-year period pursuant to Code Section 20-2-210 shall not be entitled to a renewable certificate prior to demonstrating that such performance deficiency has been satisfactorily addressed, but such individual may apply to the commission for a nonrenewable certificate.

Professional Standards Reference: Rule 505-2-.13 Standard Renewal Requirements;

Subsection (8)

(8) For certificates that expire June 30, 2005, or after, an educator with two

unsatisfactory annual performance evaluations during the previous five-year validity cycle that have not been satisfactorily addressed shall not be entitled to a renewable certificate in any field.

(a) At the request of an employing Georgia school system/agency, the

individual may apply to the Commission for a one-year nonrenewable

certificate. During the one-year validity, the individual must demonstrate that

the performance deficiency has been satisfactorily addressed as verified by

the employer.

(b) When the performance deficiency has been satisfactorily addressed, as

verified by the employer, the individual may apply for clear renewable

certification.

1. What certificated persons must meet this requirement?

Any employed Georgia school system educator who holds a Clear Renewable teaching, leadership, or service field certificate must meet this requirement. It does not apply to employees of state agencies.

2. When is this requirement effective?

It is effective for all certificates that expire as of 6/30/05, or after.

3. What if I have one unsatisfactory annual performance evaluation that has not been satisfactorily addressed at the time my certificate expires?

You can still renew your certificate. The law says that you are not eligible for a

renewable certificate with two unsatisfactory annual performance evaluations in the previous five-years that have not been satisfactorily addressed.

4. If I hold Clear Renewable certification in several fields and receive two

unsatisfactory annual performance evaluations in only one field without satisfactorily addressing the deficiencies, am I eligible to renew my other fields?

No, you are not eligible to renew any fields of certification as Clear Renewable

until you have satisfactorily addressed all deficiencies. Your Georgia school

employer may, however, apply to the PSC for a one-year nonrenewable certificate. During that year you must address the performance deficiencies to the satisfaction of your employer in order to apply for a Clear Renewable certificate.

5. What if I move to another school system without satisfactorily addressing two

unsatisfactory annual performance evaluations?

A central PSC clearinghouse is being established for Georgia school employers to

report unsatisfactory annual performance evaluations. Any Georgia school employer that might be considering you for employment should check that clearinghouse to determine your eligibility for certificate renewal. You will not be eligible for renewal of your Georgia Clear Renewable certificate until you have satisfactorily cleared all deficiencies.

6. In previous years, my certificate was renewed prior to completion of my annual performance evaluation. How is this going to work now?

Georgia school employers will be expected to flag and hold on the certificate renewal of any employee who is in danger of receiving two unsatisfactory annual performance evaluations without the opportunity to satisfactorily address them prior to the end of the year.

IV. National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS)

Legal Reference: Code Section 20-2-200; Subsection (b.1)

(b.1) Upon certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, an applicant shall be deemed to have met state renewal requirements for the life of the teacher's national certificate."

Professional Standards Reference: Rule 505-2-.13 Standard Renewal Requirements;

Subsection (1)(b)

(1)(b)Achieving National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS)

certification will renew all clear renewable fields during the validity of the educator's NBPTS certificate.

1. When is this renewal requirement effective?

It is effective for all certificates that expire as of 6/30/01, or after.

2. My National Board certificate validity dates don't correspond to the validity dates of my Georgia certificate. How will that affect renewal of my Georgia certificate?

When your National Board certificate expires, your Georgia certificate immediately becomes subject to all PSC renewal requirements in effect at that time.

3. Is there any renewal requirement that cannot be exempt because I am National Board certified?

By law, renewal of all Clear Renewable certificates is subject to the criminal record

check requirement and to meeting the two unsatisfactory annual performance

evaluation requirement. You are exempt from all other renewal requirements.

2. I am certificated in Georgia fields other than the one in which I hold NBPTS

certification. What renewal requirements apply to those other fields?

Because you are NBPTS certified, you are eligible to renew all Clear Renewable

certificate fields with NBPTS renewal requirements.