Probationary Certification

HISTORY

Available since 1974.

MOTIVATION

To offer opportunities to professionally certified individuals to add a new field of certification, and to be able to work in the new field while completing requirements.

GRADE LEVELS AND/OR SUBJECT AREA(S)

Not issued in some fields.

WHO OPERATES

Professional Standards Commission, IHE, and, in some cases, LEA.

REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER PROGRAM

Hold a valid professional certificate.
Be employed in a Georgia school and have the certificate requested by the employing superintendent.
Most teaching fields require 20 quarter hours of acceptable college credit to be issued a Probationary Certificate. Some endorsement and special education fields require 10 quarter hours. It is possible to complete some endorsement field requirements through LEA staff development programs.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Each certifiable field in Georgia that offers a Probationary Certificate clearly describes the requirements.

NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS TO COMPLETE

Varies. In some cases, credit hours are determined by a "Prescription" from the Professional Standards Commission. Other approaches include approved programs, and programs designed around staff development units.

WHO EVALUATES

IHE and/or LEA.

LENGTH OF TIME

Varies. The validity period is generally three years, with some opportunities for renewal of two additional years in some fields.