Secondary Teacher Preparation: Georgia

Analysis of Georgia's policies

Georgia requires that its secondary teacher candidates pass a content test (Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators, or GACE) to teach any core secondary subjects. Unfortunately, Georgia permits a significant loophole to this important policy by allowing a general science license, without requiring subject-matter testing for each subject area within this discipline (see Goal 1-G).

Further, to add an additional field to a secondary license, teachers must also pass a content test. However, as stated above, Georgia cannot guarantee content knowledge in each specific subject for those secondary teachers who add general science endorsements. 

Citation

Georgia Rule 505-2-.20, -.25

Recommendations for Georgia

Require subject-matter testing for all secondary teacher candidates.
Georgia wisely requires subject-matter tests for most secondary teachers but should address any loopholes that undermine this policy (see Goal 1-G). This applies to the addition of endorsements as well.

State response to our analysis

Regarding the statement that it cannot guarantee content knowledge in each specific subject for those secondary teachers who add general science endorsements, Georgia asserted that its current science endorsement program applies only to grades K-5, not secondary, and is designed to strengthen and enhance competency levels in science for those educators who have already demonstrated subject-matter expertise. 

Regarding the statement that it permits a significant loophole by allowing a general science license, without requiring subject-matter testing for each subject area within this discipline, Georgia contended that the GACE Science test is appropriate for completers of the state-approved educator preparation program in science. Aligned with state-mandated curriculum standards and with state-adopted program standards, this test was developed by secondary science teachers and those who prepare secondary science teachers: "Psychometrically, the broad-field science assessment is valid and reliable and is designed to measure the level of content knowledge required of a beginning teacher who has completed a state-approved program in broad-field science."  

Georgia also pointed out that it offers separate assessments that align with state-approved preparation programs in the fields of biology, chemistry and physics. 

Last word

The general science endorsement referred to in this analysis is the state's secondary certification in "Broad Field Science," which is discussed in Goal 1-G.