In order to prepare yourself to enter the Georgia TAPP program, first be sure you have at least a bachelor's degree and a true desire to teach. If you do, obtain an official transcript from your alma mater. Prepare for and pass the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators Basic Skills and Content Assessment Tests. Secure a job offer to teach from a local school district. Obtain a Georgia Criminal History Report. Finally, contact a TAPP program provider, listed on the Georgia TAPP website (see Resources) to arrange to participate in the TAPP program.
To begin the qualification process for the Georgia TAPP program, you must have a bachelor's degree or higher from a PSC-approved accredited college or university. PSC stands for Professional Standards Commission. The PSC was established in July of 1991 "to simplify and make more efficient the process of certifying educational personnel in Georgia; to attract the highest possible number of qualified personnel to become educators in Georgia; to promote the hiring of qualified educators from other states; and to improve the level of preparation of educators." Unless you have a master's degree or higher, you must also pass the GACE Basic Skills and Content Assessment tests. These assess your knowledge and skills relative to state and national standards for educators.
To qualify for Georgia TAPP, you must able to demonstrate sufficient expertise in your area of teaching interest. This is accomplished by your participation in a program of structured coaching and supervision by a Candidate Support Team that is composed of a school-based administrator, a school-based mentor/coach, a program provider supervisor, and a content specialist. The team will assess your knowledge and skills and prepare you to meet a set of 24 teaching competencies. Once you have met all the competencies and have spent at least one year under the team's supervision, the team will recommend you for a Georgia Clear Renewable Certification that will allow you to teach in Georgia.
Your CST may determine that you need to complete college-level coursework in order to qualify for a Georgia Clear Renewable Certification. If that is the case you must complete the required courses at a PSC-approved accredited college or university. The PSC approves schools that are recognized by either the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or the U.S. Department of Education. Refer to the American Council on Education directory titled "Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education" to determine which institutions have PSC-accepted accreditation. You may also find a list of approved schools at the Georgia Professional Standards Commission website (see Resources).