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About Master Teacher Certification
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The Georgia General Assembly passed legislation (Ga. Code Section 20-2-205) in 2005
authorizing the Professional Standards Commission (PSC) to establish the Georgia
Master Teacher Certification Program. The purpose of the legislation is to provide
the statewide recognition to Georgia public school teachers who consistently demonstrate
excellence that is defined as gains in student achievement. In order to be eligible
for the program, teachers must have at least three years of experience on a Georgia
Clear Renewable Certificate.
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The selection process began in 2006. In the first three years of the program, 354
teachers throughout the state have achieved the designation of Master Teacher Certification
(see list of 2008 Master Teachers). The process begins at the school and district
level when a teacher decides to submit an application. The local school officials
and central office staff verify that the application contains accurate information
and that the applicant demonstrates the professional responsibilities necessary
for the application to be submitted to the PSC. The superintendent, the applicant’s
principal and two other reviewers at the district level sign a verification form
ensuring that the application has been completed correctly. Information that is
verified includes:
- The information (school, year, and/or grade) is entered correctly
- The student ID numbers are the 10-digit GTID (state test numbers) rather than the FTE numbers
- There are no scanned or faxed student rosters
- Applicant name and Submitted Data name match (Applicant's data is not submitted
under wrong name or vice versa)
- Applicant submits data under correct category
- Directions are followed
- Applicant applies in correct category
- Applicant includes required evidence
- All 4 required signatures on the Application Verification form are included
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The application process opens November 1, 2008 and closes January 31, 2009. Applications
are available for teachers in all curriculum areas in grades K-12. There are two
categories of applications:
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- The first is for teachers in CRCT tested grade levels and subject areas. This group
of teachers submits class rosters of students tested during the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008
school years. The Office of Standards, Instruction, and Assessment analyzes the
data from these two student cohorts, or groups, to determine if the results meet
the achievement criteria specified in the application process.
- For the group of teachers who do not teach in CRCT tested grade levels and subject
areas, an application based on teacher-submitted data is judged by State Review
Team members selected by the PSC. Teachers in the non-CRCT tested grades levels
and subject areas must submit student performance data from the 2007-2008 academic
year and the first semester of 2008-2009. For a better understanding of the level
of student learning necessary to achieve the criteria, please review the application
process that matches your teaching assignment.
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For the 2009 process, application requirements were reviewed and several revisions
are now included:
- High school teachers submit application for one preparation
- Instructional Coach application has been revised
- The required number of students included in documentation for specialty groups such
as physical education, art, and music has been reduced.
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The timeframe for the 2009 Master Teacher Certification program is:
- Open Application: November 1, 2008
- Close Application: January 31, 2009
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