The GaPSC previewed five certification rules that will be presented for adoption in the near future.  Among the proposals, the Commission is considering moving away from requiring PLUs for certification renewals in 2018.  Instead, the focus for renewals would be on performance, as measured by professional learning goals or plans that would be developed collaboratively by teachers and administrators.  If and when this rule is adopted, PAGE will notify our members through our listserv.
 
 A brief review of Georgia's tiered certification system:
 

• Clear Renewable certificates were converted to Standard Professional certificates on July 1, 2014.
   
• Performance-Based certificates will require at least two years of TKES evaluations.
   
• Induction certificates have been issued to new teachers as of July 1, 2014.
   
• Pre-Service certificates will be required for Georgia student-teachers as of July 1, 2015.  Issuance will require a successful state background check and completion of the Ethics Program Entry Assessment.
   
• Lead Professional certificates will be issued as of July 1, 2015.
   
• Employment will be required for initial certificate issuance.  Unemployed applicants who otherwise meet qualifications will be given a Certificate of Eligibility.
   
• Employment will also be required for certain certificate renewals beginning July 1, 2015.  Georgia educators who've worked at least a year on a renewable professional certificate will be able to renew without employment.
   
• Passing the edTPA or a similar assessment will be required for those with no experience as of September 1, 2015.

The Commission granted "Continuing Approval" to Fulton County Schools and two of its educator prep programs:  GaTAPP, Initial, Certification-only and the Gifted In-field Endorsement programs.
 
The Commission denied approval for the Educational Leadership (P-12; Initial; Ed.S.; PL6) Building-level and Educational Leadership (P-12; Initial; Ed.D.; PL7) Building-level programs at Liberty University.  The GaPSC will send a letter to Liberty University recommending that it notify each Georgia candidate enrolled in its Education Leadership program of the denial of approval for the Georgia Performance-based Educational Leadership programs.