Section 20-2-206 - Alternative teacher certification program; creditable service(a) For purposes of this Code section, the term "core academic subject" means English, reading or language arts, mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history, or geography.(b)(1) Each local school system may provide an alternative teacher certification program upon approval by the Professional Standards Commission for a secondary school teacher candidate to teach a course or courses in a core academic subject who:(A) Possesses a master's degree, doctoral degree, or Juris Doctor in each academic subject in which the candidate will teach;(B) Receives high-quality professional development that is sustained, intensive, and classroom focused in order to have a positive and lasting impact on classroom instruction, before and while teaching;(C) Participates in a program of intensive supervision that consists of structured guidance and regular ongoing support for teachers or a teacher mentoring program;(D) Assumes functions as a teacher only for a specified period of time not to exceed three years; and(E) Demonstrates satisfactory progress toward full certification as prescribed by the Professional Standards Commission.(2) The Professional Standards Commission shall apply the least restrictive standards when approving a school system developed program under this subsection.(3) Any teacher certified pursuant to this subsection shall be considered a highly qualified teacher for purposes of the federal No Child Left Behind Act (P.L. 107-110).(c) Each local school system may provide an alternative teacher certification program upon approval by the Professional Standards Commission for a secondary school teacher candidate to teach a course or courses in a subject that is not a core academic subject who:(1) Possesses a master's degree, doctoral degree, or Juris Doctor in each academic subject in which the candidate will teach; and(2) Demonstrates satisfactory progress toward full certification as prescribed by the Professional Standards Commission.(d)(1) Pursuant to this subsection, each local school system shall support nontraditional teacher certification programs approved by the Professional Standards Commission for a teacher candidate who: (A) Is a veteran of the United States armed forces who was honorably discharged as evidenced by United States Department of Defense Form 214 or National Guard Bureau Form 22 or who is currently serving as a member of the United States armed forces in an active duty or reserve component;(B) Holds a bachelor's degree or higher, with a grade point average equal to or above a minimum established by the Professional Standards Commission, from a postsecondary educational institution approved by the Professional Standards Commission and accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education; provided, however, that the degree requirement shall not apply if the candidate seeks to teach in a specific career, technical, and agricultural education field for which the Professional Standards Commission does not require a degree; and(C) Attains a passing score on the Georgia educator ethics assessment portion of the Georgia Assessments for Certification of Educators (GACE).(2) Upon an offer of employment by a local school system, the individual who meets the requirements provided for in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be eligible for a three-year military support provisional certificate to be issued in one-year increments by the Professional Standards Commission following a joint application by the employing school system and the individual. During this three-year period, the individual shall:(A) Receive high-quality professional development that is sustained, intensive, and classroom focused in order to have a positive and lasting impact on classroom instruction, before and while teaching;(B) During the first year, enroll in a nontraditional educator preparation program approved by the Professional Standards Commission that includes intensive supervision with structured guidance and regular ongoing support. Individuals enrolling in such nontraditional educator preparation program approved by the Professional Standards Commission shall receive priority enrollment;(C) During the first year, attain a passing score on the content assessment portion of the Georgia Assessments for Certification of Educators or other assessment approved by the Professional Standards Commission;(D) During the second year, attain a passing score on the program admission assessment portion of the Georgia Assessments for Certification of Educators or meets the exemption criteria for such assessment established by the Professional Standards Commission;(E) Assume functions as a teacher while completing a nontraditional educator preparation program for a period of time not to exceed three years;(F) Demonstrate satisfactory progress toward full certification as prescribed by the Professional Standards Commission; and(G) Successfully complete a nontraditional educator preparation program, after which the individual shall be eligible for an induction or professional certificate to be issued by the Professional Standards Commission.(e) A local school system shall not discriminate or treat differently in any manner a teacher possessing initial certification pursuant to this Code section, an applicant seeking initial certification pursuant to this Code section, or an individual meeting the requirement contained in subparagraph (b)(1)(A), paragraph (1) of subsection (c), or paragraph (1) of subsection (d) of this Code section and eligible for initial certification pursuant to this Code section, including, but not limited to, refusal to admit such teacher to a job fair or other teacher recruitment activity.(f) A teacher receiving initial certification pursuant to this Code section shall be treated in the same manner as certificated professional personnel for purposes of this chapter or any local board of education policy, including receiving salaries pursuant to the minimum salary schedule provided for in Code Section 20-2-212. A maximum of three years of creditable service shall be allowed for the previous military service of individuals who obtain a three-year military support provisional certificate pursuant to subsection (d) of this Code section.Amended by 2021 Ga. Laws 159,§ 2, eff. 7/1/2021.Added by 2007 Ga. Laws 142,§ 4, eff. 7/1/2007.