Educator Certification Assessment Program

1. Educator Certification Assessment Program Anne Marie Fenton annemarie.fenton@gapsc.com December 1, 2008

2. Assessment Program Agenda • GACE • Title II (not Title IIA) • Higher Education Act Reauthorization

3. www.gace.nesinc.com

4. GACE Program Purpose: • to assess the knowledge and skills of prospective Georgia public school educators; • helps the PSC meet its goal of ensuring that candidates have the knowledge and skills needed to perform the job of an educator in Georgia public schools; • aligned with state and national standards for educator preparation and with state standards for the P–12 student curriculum (Georgia Performance Standards).

5. GACE • Aligned with Georgia Standards • Created by diverse representation of educators across Georgia who are experts in their respective fields • No Georgia Tax Dollars • Ensure Educator Quality Program Benefits

6. GACE Test Participation • Georgia Educator Certification Only • Applying for Program Admission • Out-of-state Certification Applications

7. Latest on GACE 2008-2009 GACE Schedule August 23 October 25 January 10 March 28 May 9* June 13 July 18* August 27

8. GACE Computer Skill Competency Assessment The GACE Computer SkillCompetency Assessment is not designed to replace instruction in the integration of technology to meet the PSC/NCATE standards for educator preparation program approval. Although program providers may choose to use the GACE CSC Assessment as a tool for assessing candidates' technology skills, providers must not rely on the GACE CSC Assessment alone in preparing educators.

12. www.georgiastandards.org

14. GACE Enhancements: • Examinees must select a provider code indicating who will receive data (no longer voluntary; can indicate N/A) • Added two supplemental administrations (Basic Skills and Early Childhood Education) • CSC offered at all ETCs • Enhanced Registration Bulletin and Web Resources on ES website (www.gace.nesinc.com) • Enhanced website at www.gapsc.com • Enhanced Communication (Latest on GACE)

15. GACE Enhancements (cont): • Annual Program Provider Summary Reports • Virtual “GoToMeeting” series on GACE Data and Faculty Resources • Assessment Data Advisory Panel

16. GACE Upcoming Enhancements: • GACE for Interpreters • Quick Reference for all GACE Assessments by Approved Preparation Program • Quick Reference for GACE and HQT (Reading; ESL; Gifted; etc.) • Enhanced website at www.gapsc.com • Continued Communication (Assessment Updates;Latest on GACE)

17. “Latest on GACE” Communication e-list

18. Assessment Program Title II (not Title IIA) Accountability

19. Title II/Program Completer Process PAAR Title II (Program Completer) Data Annual Title II Pass Rate Report Annual Program Provider Summary Reports

21. Title II/Program Completer Process • 11-15-08 • Deadline for Data Submission • 12-31-08 • Release of Preliminary Title II Pass Rate Reports (www.educationreports.net) • Release of Provider’s Data Worksheet for Review (www.gapsc.org) • 2-2-09 • Providers submit corrected data worksheets (final)

22. Title II/Program Completer Process • 4-1-09 • Annual Title II Pass Rate Reports Available • (www.educationreports.net) • 5-1-09 • Annual Program Provider Summary Reports • (www.educationreports.net)

23. Title II/Program Completer Process Enhancements: • Streamlined the Title II/Program Completer Process so that providers verify their program completer data in the same format in which it was submitted (www.gapsc.org) • Established and published a Title II Program Completer Process Schedule (advanced notice) • Defined and published explanatory notes directly on Annual Title II Reports

24. Title II/Program Completer Process Enhancements (cont): • Enhanced Annual Summary Reports included: • Report #1: Test Data by Subarea and Objective/Statewide Averages • Report #2: Aggregate Data by Test and Assessment; • Report #3: Aggregate Summary of all Programs; • Report #4: Three Year Archival Record; • Explanatory notes and footnotes • Moved availability of Summary Reports up from late August to May 1st; • Will provide Summary Reports for all programs not just those for initial certification (Title II), and regardless of how many completers.

25. Title II/Program Completer Process • GACE Data and Faculty Resources web pages (www.gace.nesinc.com) • GACE Data and Faculty Resources Virtual “GoToMeetings” • Virtual Meeting Surveys Enhancements (cont):

26. Title II/Program Completer Process Ongoing Emphasis: • Work Collaboratively on Data Notification and Communication • Provide Customer Service Support and Helpful Resources to Ensure Consistent, Accurate, and Timely Reporting and Verification of Program Completer Data • Commitment to Program Enhancements based on Providers’ Needs

27. www.gapsc.com/EducatorPreparation/EducatorAccountability/

28. Title II/Program Completer Process For questions about PAAR PAAR@gapsc.com Program Completer Data or File Uploads Commaleta.Singleton@gapsc.com Title II/Program Completer Process & Reports AnneMarie.Fenton@gapsc.com Questions/Assistance?

29. HEOA Higher Education Act Reauthorization 2008

30. HEOA – Title II Teacher Quality Enhancement • Teacher Quality Partnership Grants Accountability for Programs that Prepare Teachers • Teacher Development • State Functions • Release of Info to Teacher Preparation Programs • Preparing Teachers For Digital Age Learners • Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence • Teacher to Reach Grants • Adjunct Teacher Corps • Graduate Fellowships to Prepare Faculty in High-Need Areas in Colleges of Education From Table of Contents of AACTE’s “Summary of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA, P.L. 110-315), Sept. 2008, available at www.aacte.org

31. HEOA – Title II The newly signedHigher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) became law in August and will have implications for your educator preparation programs and for those providers that report pass rates for Title II (not Title IIA) reporting. We have been advised by Westat, to whom we report Title II, to expect changes, but to make no changes to data collection systems yet.

32. HEOA – Title II HEOA, in part, addresses the Teacher Quality Enhancements, which focus on accountability for programs that prepare teachers; teacher development; state functions; preparing teachers for digital age learners; as well as specific grants such as Adjunct Teacher Corps and Graduate Fellowships for High-Need Areas, and more.

33. HEOA – Title II With HEOA, there is an increased focus on partnerships; setting annual quantifiable goals to increase the number of teachers in math, science, special education, ELL, and other shortage areas; preparation in instructing students with disabilities and in teaching in urban and rural areas; as well as others.

34. HEOA – Title II The full text of HEOA and an overview of the complete HEOA legislation in the form of a report to Congress are available at www.ccsso.org/content A concise summary of provisions of HEOA that affect educator preparation programs (Title II) is located at www.aacte.org

35. HEOA $27,500 New fines for Inaccurate or Non-reporting

36. Contact Information Anne Marie Fenton Educator Preparation Division, PSC annemarie.fenton@gapsc.com 404-232-2654

37. Assessment Program Agenda • GACE • Title II (not Title IIA) • Higher Education Act Reauthorization

38. Mission: To build the best prepared, best qualified, and most ethical education workforce in the nation.