Georgia Professional Standards Commission Meeting Report - July 2024

The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) met virtually July 10 and 11.

GaPSC Executive Secretary Matt Arthur provided information on upcoming changes to Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) testing. The GACE testing vendor will shift to Evaluation Systems by Pearson.

Other changes include the introduction of a science of reading assessment and dividing assessments into smaller "testlets". All changes will take place after July 1, 2025, and more information can be found here.  

Arthur also updated the commission on educator vacancies. Overall, AY2024 showed a nearly 12 percent increase in reported teaching vacancies compared to AY2023. This increase appears to be driven by fewer people entering the education field and by more educators leaving within their first three years of service.

Finally, it was announced that Beth Townsend’s term as a commissioner has ended. Kedrione Harris and Abigail Coggins will serve as the new chair and vice chair of the Educator Ethics Review Committee, respectively.

Ethics

Ethics Division Director Lauren Vonada shared that there has been a 30 percent increase in the number of ethics cases opened compared to last year.

Educator Preparation and Certification

PaQuita Morgan, director of program approval at GaPSC, presented proposed revisions to the 2024 Program Approval Standards. The following changes were proposed to Standard 6.7 in order to more clearly address standards for non-traditional programs:

The Commission will vote on the proposed revisions next month.

Based on findings from the March 15, 2024, progress report, the Commission removed or modified several Areas for Improvement (AFIs) and stipulations for Young Harris College. A new progress report is due by June 30, 2025.

Lastly, the commission granted Developmental Approval for the Elementary Agriculture Education (P-5) Endorsement in the Okefenokee RESA and the Dyslexia Endorsement in the Southwest Georgia RESA.

Next Meeting The next committee meetings are Aug. 7. The next commission meeting is Aug. 8.  The full calendar of 2024 GaPSC meetings can be found HERE.