The Certification Department is responsible for processing all certification
documents for new hires and current faculty as well as renewal
and conversion of certificate notification.
Please remember! When communicating with the Certification
Department always include your social security number as well
as name, telephone number, and school location.
Contact Information:
|
Principals and Administrators Cathy Connell Phone: 770-426-3433 Fax: 678-594-8585 Cathy.Connell@cobbk12.org |
Elementary and Charter Schools Sherree Hemby Phone: 770-426-3372 Fax: 678-594-8585 Sherree.Hemby@cobbk12.org |
Middle, High and Special Schools KathyAnn Conner Phone: 770-426-3396 Fax: 678-594-8585 KathyAnn.Conner@cobbk12.org |
Important Links
|
Georgia Professional |
Georgia Assessments |
The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC) issues all Georgia teaching, paraprofessional and administrative certificates. Once your documents have been submitted to the PSC, you may see your certificate information on their website www.gapsc.com. Click on certification status then enter your social security#. You can monitor your progress at your convenience.
Certification Information
For "New Employees" with Cobb County in a
teaching/administrative position, please submit the following
to the Certification Department of the Cobb County School
District:
• PSC application
• ALL Official Transcripts
• GACE Test Scores
• Out-of-State Professional Certificates
• $20 online fee payable online www.gapsc.com
1. Certified employees of the Cobb County School District are required to hold a valid Georgia teaching certificate issued by the Professional Standards Commission (PSC).
2. Click here to obtain a PSC application
3. Complete both front and back of the PSC application with specific details given to educational background.
4. The PSC will not process your application without an Official transcript.
5. Once you are an employee of the Cobb County School District (including new hires), the $20 fee will be exempted for you. However, all future evaluation and conditional certificate fees must be paid by the CCSD employee by money order, cashier's check or on-line fee payment.
6. Section 4 of the PSC application is the Personal Affirmation questions. Failure to complete ALL of this block will result in your application being returned unprocessed.
7. You may register for the GACE test at www.gace.nesinc.com or click on the GACE link on the PSC website www.gapsc.com
8. Your certificate or letter of requirement(s) will be mailed directly to your home address from the PSC and a copy forwarded to Cobb County School District for your personnel file.
9. It is critical that you complete your certification requirements at the earliest opportunity because wages are based on the type of certificate held.
Types of Certificates
You may be issued one of six types of conditional
certificates:
1. Clear Renewable - Issued in all fields for teaching,
service and leadership certificates for a 5 year validity
period. All Georgia certification requirements have been met.
2. Non-Renewable - Issued in all fields and for
teaching, service and leadership certificates for a 5-year
validity period. One or more Georgia requirements are needed.
3. Permit - Issued for individuals who qualify for
fields with a combination of work experience, specified
educational requirements and assessments(s). Some of these
include foreign language native speakers, art, dance, drama,
music and JROTC.
4. International Exchange - A professional,
time-limited certificate designed to allow those from other
nations to teach in Georgia for three (3) consecutive years.
5. GATAPP Intern - At the request of an employing
school system, the Intern certificate may be issued to
indviduals accepted into a Georgia Teacher Alternative
Preparation Program (TAPP). Intern certificates will be
initially issued for a 2-year validity period.
6. Waiver - Issued to individuals who have not
satisfied all certification requirements due to special
circumstances. The waiver certificate is issued for a 1 year
period.
Renewal for current Cobb County School District Educators
The State of Georgia mandates that professional teaching
certificates be renewed every five years with either ten
Professional Learning Units (PLU’s) or ten-quarter (six
semester) hours of college credit or a combination of the two.
These credits must be accrued during the validity period of
the certificate to be renewed. For example, if your
certificate is valid July 1, 1998, to June 30, 2003, credits
must have been earned between those dates to count toward
certificate renewal.
All certified educators must now meet the new Computer
Competency requirement. The Cobb County School District will
provide a renewal notice each year for those whose certificate
will expire within that year. We will renew all certificates
electronically to the PSC.
Upgrade Procedures for Certificates
All certificates are issued with a “level” of certificate
based on the type of degree held. Level 4 for bachelors, level
5 for masters, level 6 for specialist and level 7 for the
doctorate.
Once a program has been completed and the “final” transcript
has been issued, the certification office needs the official
transcript and 2 -page certification application from the PSC
website.
When the PSC issues the new “upgraded” certificate, the
compensation department is notified to process the upgrade in
salary.
Adding-On a New Certificate
A new certificate field may be added-on to an existing certificate when the requirements have been met. This may include passing the GACE content knowledge test, completing a program or by experience verification. The certification office needs the 2-page certification application from the PSC website www.gapsc.com. There is no salary increase for an add-on.
Paraprofessional Certification Information
All Georgia Paraprofessionals must hold a valid state certificate issued by the Professional Standards Commission.
*The applicant must hold at least a high school diploma or GED equivalent and satisfy all other federal hiring requirements appropriate to designated positions and phase-in time lines outlined by ESEA.
New Federal Requirements - paraprofessionals hired after January 8, 2002 shall have one of the following:
A. Completion of at least 2 years of study at an institution of higher education; or
B. An associate's (or higher) degree; or
C. Met a rigorous standard of quality and can demonstrate through a state or local academic assessment -i. $35.00 test fee for GACE Assessment - www.gace.nesinc.com
ii. Knowledge of, and ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing, and mathematics; or
iii. Knowledge of, and ability to assist in instructing, reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness, as appropriate.
Existing Paraprofessionals - have four (4) years after date of enactment (January 8, 2006) to satisfy the requirements.
Click Here for the PSC Paraprofessional Application
Upgrade Procedures for Certificates
All certificates are issued with a “level” of certificate
based on the type of degree held. Level 4 for bachelors, level 5
for masters, level 6 for specialist and level 7 for the
doctorate.
Once a program has been completed and the “final” transcript has
been issued, the certification office needs the official
transcript and 2 -page certification application from the PSC
website.
When the PSC issues the new “upgraded” certificate, the
compensation department is notified to process the upgrade in
salary.
Adding-On a New Certificate
A new certificate field may be added-on to an existing certificate when the requirements have been met. This may include passing the GACE content knowledge test, completing a program or by experience verification. The certification office needs the 2-page certification application from the PSC website www.gapsc.com. There is no salary increase for an add-on.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1) Where do I go for general certification information for the state of Georgia?
The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC) issues all Georgia certificates. Visit their website at http://www.gapsc.com. Click on "rules" for specific information regarding various teaching fields. Also, see information on certificate types and certificate levels.
GA Professional Standards Commission Certification Section
Two Peachtree Street, Suite 6000
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3141
(404) 232-2500
2) What documents are needed to apply for a Georgia certificate?
- The 2 page certification application (download and complete from the PSC website, www.gapsc.com).
- All Official college transcript(s)*
- Copies of teaching certificate(s)
- Copies of test(s) taken for certification
- $20 fee payment can be made online to the PSC website to begin the process or once employed by the Cobb County School District, we will apply for your certification.
3) What if I am coming from Out-of-State?
In addition to the above requirements (#2), the Experience Verification form (download from the PSC website, www.gapsc.com) needs to be completed by your present/former school district(s).
4) What if I am coming from outside the United States?
If you're coming from outside the U.S. (including Puerto Rico), this is the first step you must take. In addition to the above requirements (#2), all foreign transcripts must be evaluated by one of the approved PSC Accepted Credential Agencies for evaluation of credit earned outside the U.S. (See rule #505-2-.21 on the PSC website). Contact each agency for their appropriate fee payment for evaluation. The following are two of those approved agencies:
Josef Silny & Associates
International. Education Consultants
P.O. Box 514070
7101 SW 102nd Avenue Miami, FL 33173
Email: info@jsilny.com
Web: http://www.jsilny.com
Phone: 305-273-1616World Education Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 5087
Bowling Green Station
New York, NY 10274-5087
Email: info@wes.org
Web: http://www.wes.org
Phone: 212-966-6311
5) What test(s) are required to obtain a Georgia certificate?
The Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) provide both the basic skills (reading, writing, and math) and content (subject-matter) test. The GACE link is on the PSC website or go to: http://www.gace.nesinc.com
6) Can I exempt either test?
The basic skills may be exempted if you've met the scores on SAT (1000), ACT (43) or GRE (1030). Content tests are required by Georgia Law. Specific tests will depend on which field of certification you select.
7) When should I apply with Cobb County Schools?
We only recommend for employment teaching applicants who've shown on their application that they will be certified by the time-frame for which they're applying. If you're an out-of-state certified teacher or have already begun your Georgia certification process (per GAPSC direction), you should proceed with our application. Please make sure you update your application as your certification progresses.
You can find our STAR online application by going to: www.teachcobb.com.
*See Question #4 for Out-of-Country Instructions
