Georgia: College and Career Policies

Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (3-8 for Science, ELA, and Math), End of Course Tests, Georgia High School Graduation Test (Science, Social Studies, Math, ELA), GAA (Alternative assessment), Writing Assessments

The State Board of Education has full authority to adopt standards.

For both types of Georgia professional teaching certificates, standard and performance-based, there are different requirements for licensure renewal.

The Georgia Performance Standards for Modern Languages (GPS) are based on Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century and the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language(ACTFL) Performance Guidelines for K-12 Learners. The GPS are organized in outline form, integrating the national standards and the three modes of communication: interpersonal (IP), interpretive (INT), and presentational (P), as well as Cultural Perspectives, Practices and Products (CU), and Connections, Comparisons, and Communities (CCC).

The State Board of Education has authority over the adoption of Career and Technical Education Standards.

Georgia has 8 "other" credits required for graduation.

In order to renew an administrator certificate, applicants must complete 6 semester hours of coursework or 10 credits of Georgia Professional Learning Units.

Georgia has performing arts standards in dance, music, theatre, and media.

The Georgia State Board of Education has full authority to adopt assessments.

As part of the Race to the Top Initiative (RT3), Georgia, in collaboration with RT3 Districts, educational partners, and the Evaluation Task Force Committee, developed a new effectiveness system for teacher evaluation and professional growth. In Spring 2012, Race to the Top Districts participated in a pilot of the Teacher Keys Effectiveness System. These 26 districts provided critical feedback and data that was used to revise and improve a new system designed for building teacher effectiveness throughout Georgia. The new Teacher Keys Effectiveness System (TKES) consists of multiple components, including the Teacher Assessment on Performance Standards (TAPS), Surveys of Instructional Practice, and measures of Student Growth and Academic Achievement.

The Georgia Professional Standards Commission, appointed by the Governor, oversees the Georgia teacher certification process and dictates the requirements needed in order to become certified within the state.

Georgia offers two types of renewable professional certificates: standard and performance-based. Each have different requirements.