NEED TO APPLY TO THE PSC TO ADD A FIELD OR TO OBTAIN …



NEED TO APPLY TO THE PSC TO ADD A FIELD OR TO OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE UPGRADE?

CONTACT HUMAN RESOURCES TO HANDLE YOUR CERTIFICATION TRANSACTIONS EFFICIENTLY!

 

Certified staff members should submit all Professional Standard Commission applications for certification transactions through the Human Resources Department, and here’s why… when you send your application and required documentation to Human Resources for submission to the PSC,

 

• We will check to see that you have completed your PSC application correctly.

• We will check to see that you have submitted the correct documentation (and processing fee, if applicable) required by the PSC for your particular transaction.

• We will send your application packet to the PSC along with an Employer’s Assurance Form. The Employer’s Assurance Form is a critical document required by the PSC to verify that you are currently employed with a Georgia school system. For many transactions, the Employer’s Assurance form will exempt you from having to pay the processing fee mentioned on the application.

 

When Human Resources submits your application packet to the PSC for any given transaction, we receive an electronic copy of the certificate and/or correspondence sent to you by the PSC. In most cases, when the PSC sends correspondence to you about your pending transaction, it is to request missing documentation or to notify you that you need to meet some requirement before they can continue processing your transaction. When Human Resources has access to that correspondence, we will, in most cases, be able to follow up with you and assist by responding to the PSC promptly and correctly.

 

Human Resources Can Save You Time and Frustration!

Just Follow These Steps:

 

 

 

 

APPLYING FOR A CERTIFICATE UPGRADE

 

To apply for a certificate upgrade, you must submit these items to Human Resources:

 

1.      A completed two page PSC application (available from )

2.      An official transcript from the college or university where you earned your Master’s, Specialist, or Doctorate degree. The degree and date conferred must be posted on the official transcript.

 

Human Resources will submit your completed application packet to the PSC and will process your pay increase for your certificate upgrade AFTER we receive a copy of your PSC issued upgraded certificate. The PSC will send you an original upgraded certificate through U.S. mail. You should send Human Resources a copy of your upgraded certificate as soon as you receive it. We’ll eventually receive an electronic copy of your upgraded certificate as long as you’ve processed your application through us, but you will probably receive your original first so go ahead and send us a copy right away.

 

Please read carefully the following information about how Human Resources processes salary increases for certificate upgrades:

 

[pic] If the effective date of the upgraded certificate level is during the 190-day contract year, the salary change will apply to that same contract year.

Example: A certificate upgrade is received in May before the contract year ends. The salary change could be seen on the May, June, July, or August check depending on when HR receives a copy of the upgraded certificate and when the change is processed through payroll. Upgrades must be processed at the PSC by July 1, 2008 in order to be reflected in the remaining 2007-2008 pay periods. This means that May graduates must get transcripts and PSC applications to Human Resources in plenty of time (at least a week prior) to meet the July 1, 2008 deadline at the PSC. (Paychecks for June, July, and August are for the previous contract year, NOT for the upcoming contract year.) The upgraded salary will affect only the remainder of the contracted working days left in that year’s contract. This year’s 190-day contract begins August 3, 2007 and ends on June 3, 2008.

[pic] If the effective date of the upgraded certificate level is after the last day of the previous contract year, but before the first day of the new contract year, (i.e., during the summer) the salary change will apply to the new contract year. Example: Certificate upgrade is received in July. The salary change will be seen on a check for the new contract year depending on when HR receives a copy of the upgraded certificate and when the change is processed through payroll. (The September check is the first check of the new contract year EXCEPT for new teachers who are identified to receive the August check as the first check of the new contract year.) Certificate upgrades earned from June 3, 2008 forward will be reflected in the paychecks for the 08-09 school year.

 

APPLYING TO ADD A CLEAR RENEWABLE FIELD

 

The documentation required to apply to add a clear renewable field varies depending on the field. Here are some examples:

 

1. Adding a Clear Renewable Teaching Field – The PSC passed a rule in March, 2003 to allow educators who hold clear renewable certification in a teaching field to qualify to add a teaching field by passing the appropriate GACE (or Praxis II for a couple of fields) assessment(s). For example, if you are a high school teacher with a clear renewable certificate in Science and want to add the clear renewable History field to your certificate, you would be eligible to do so once you have passed the GACE assessment for History (6-12). To apply for the add-on, you would be required to submit these documents to Human Resources: (1) a completed two page PSC application for certification (2) a score report from any test not already posted at the PSC. GACE scores are automatically posted Praxis scores on only posted if you requested it.

 

2. Adding the Clear Renewable field and upgrading at the same time (for example, if you acquired your Masters or Education Specialist and completed the Educational Leadership program as well), you are essentially requesting 2 transactions – an upgrade and an add-on. To apply for this transaction, you would need to provide Human Resources with (1) your completed two page PSC application, and (2) your official transcript with degree posted. Your college would be responsible for submitting the PSC Approved Program Recommendation form directly to the PSC. (in order to add this particular field you would also have to verify three years teaching experience so a PSC Verification of Experience form is also required and should be submitted by your previous school system or Douglas County, whichever is appropriate).

 

3. Adding a Clear Renewable Endorsement - Typically, the PSC requires educators to complete an approved program in order to eligible to add an endorsement. For example, to add the ESOL endorsement as a clear renewable field, an educator must complete an ESOL endorsement program offered by a PSC approved program provider. The documentation required to apply to add a clear renewable endorsement is: (1) a completed two page PSC application for certification, (2) an official transcript from the program provider. The program provider would also be responsible for submitting the PSC Approved Program Recommendation form either directly to the PSC or to Human Resources, depending on the provider and the provider’s procedures.

 

A school system may request a non-renewable endorsement field for an educator. By holding the non-renewable certification, the educator is in-field to teach the subject while completing the requirements for the clear renewable endorsement. This application requires a different set of documentation and a fee payment. Please refer to the PSC website (see below) for information on non-renewable certificates and then contact Human Resources if you have questions.

 

As you can see, there are many variables when it comes to a certificate application. That’s why it is so important for you to refer to the PSC website for information and involve Human Resources in your certification transactions.

 

 

AN UNTAPPED RESOURCE – THE GEORGIA PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS COMMISSION WEBSITE!

 

Human Resources encourages you to take the time to become familiar with the PSC website. The main reason is because you are responsible for your certification. Human Resources offers assistance with certification transactions, but you are ultimately responsible for holding a valid Georgia teaching certificate, just like you are responsible for holding a valid driver’s license. The PSC website contains a wealth of information on certification, educator preparation, ethics, Praxis testing, and so much more. Human Resources receives various questions from staff members such as “when does my certificate expire?” and “what fields am I certified in?” Did you know that you can check this information yourself just by going to the PSC website and using the “Check Certification Status” feature? Did you know that you can find information on Praxis test scores, and links to information on Praxis test dates by clicking on the tab “Educator Prep” on the PSC homepage and then the link to Praxis I & II?

 

Another great feature on the PSC website is the “Message Center.” The “Message Center” is located in the center of the PSC homepage and gives informative updates on a variety of pertinent topics.

 

We encourage you to check the website first for answers to your questions about certification before you contact Human Resources. If after checking the website, you still have questions, please give us a call – 770-651-2378.

 

(revised September 10, 2007)

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