Georgia
SUPPLY/DEMAND CONSIDERATIONS
State officials say there have been projections that Georgia could face
shortages due to heavy retirements among administrators in the next
few years.
School districts are identifying teachers with potential to "grow"
toward becoming school administrators.
REGULAR PATH
PRINCIPAL AND SUPERINTENDENT
Professional Certificate in Educational Leadership
Valid for 5 years; may be extended for 1 year if Special Georgia
Requirements have not been completed.
Prerequisites
A candidate must have:
• A master's or higher degree;
• 3 years of acceptable school experience; and
• Completed an approved program at the master's degree level or
higher in educational leadership and be recommended for
certification by the college or university.
Program Standards
The candidate must complete the following "Special Georgia
Requirements":
• Certification Assessment Program -- Achieve a passing score
on a leadership assessments as required by the Professional
Standards Commission;
• Recency of Study/Experience -- Verify recent study or
experience within 5 years preceding the date of application;
• Special Education -- Complete coursework, approved by the
Professional Standards Commission, in the identification and
education of children who have special educational needs, or
the equivalent through a Georgia approved staff development
program;
• Computer Skill Competency -- Demonstrate satisfactory
proficiency on a Professional Standards Commission-approved
test of computer skill competency or complete a PSC-approved
training/course equivalent.
Initial Probationary Certificate in Educational Leadership
Valid for 3 years; renewable.
Prerequisites
A candidate must:
• Have a professional certificate in any teaching or service field;
• Have a master's or higher degree;
• Be employed by a Georgia school district which requests that
the Probationary Certificate be issued; and
• Complete 20 quarter hours of acceptable graduate credit toward
an approved program in educational leadership as determined
by the college advisor.
Program Standards
The individual may be issued a Probationary Certificate, which may be
renewed for a maximum of 2 additional years, if he or she completes a
minimum of 30 quarter hours of coursework toward meeting regular
certification requirements
ALTERNATE PATH
Georgia does not have an alternate route for school administrators.
Permit for Superintendent Level
According to state officials, this is the closest Georgia has to an
alternate route for administrators. It is for superintendents only, not
principals.
If a school district chooses to do so, it can opt to fill the job of
superintendent by bringing in a leader from business, military, or other
fields. During the last year, some larger school districts have used this
method to fill the job of superintendent. Only a few Permits have been
issued for superintendents in recent years.
This is the Permit procedure:
• A school district requests a Permit for a candidate for
superintendent and must justify its request to the state;
• If the state approves, it issues a 1-year Permit to the candidate;
• The district designs a local professional development plan, to
enable the candidate to successfully complete the PRAXIS II
leadership assessment within 1 year;
• If the candidate completes the professional development plan
and passes the PRAXIS II by the end of the year, the state
issues a 3- year, renewable Permit;
• The district then designs a professional development plan for
the candidate to complete over the 3-year period; and
• At the end of the 3 years, the district reports back to the state
on what was accomplished, and requests that the Permit be
renewed for another 3 years.
WAIVERS
The state can issue a waiver for school administrators, but this is rarely
used.
PENDING DEVELOPMENTS
Officials say the state is working on a new leadership test, but no final
decision has yet been made about replacing Praxis II.
For the past year, a statewide task force has been considering a
separate certificate for Building Principal. The task force is expected
to make its recommendations soon to the Georgia Professional
Standards Commission, which has the final authority.
The state is in the process of building a tiered certification system. It
has already separated the leadership certificate from teacher and other
certificates. Officials see the need to have a clear career progression
from teaching through administration, although they also say there
may be different ways to enter school administration.
The task force has also been looking at internships and mentors for the
preparation and support of school administrators, and has been
considering a proposal to recommend 1 year of mentor support for
new school leaders.