Help Shape the Future of Education in Georgia
The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) and Evaluation Systems of Pearson are seeking Georgia educators who wish to participate in the assessment development activities for the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) program.
About
Practicing Georgia educators and educator preparation provider faculty will be involved in reviewing assessment materials throughout the development process.
Read an encouragement letter from Matt Arthur, Executive Secretary GaPSC. We hope you will get involved!
The GACE program is aligned with state and national standards for educator preparation and is designed to help ensure educator candidates have demonstrated the level of knowledge required to perform satisfactorily in their fields of specialization. The tests measure a candidate's knowledge and skills in relation to an established standard rather than in relation to the performance of other candidates.
Participants will
- help shape the future of education;
- have the opportunity for professional growth and work in collaboration with educators in their field;
- receive substitute reimbursement for their school (public school educators only);
- have the opportunity to use their participation toward professional learning requirements;
- be reimbursed for their travel and meal expenses; and
- be provided with hotel accommodations, if necessary.
Development
After a statewide nominations process, eligible Georgia public school educators and educator preparation provider faculty will be selected by Evaluation Systems, in collaboration with GaPSC, to participate in assessment development conferences. Opportunities for participation include:
Test Areas Under Development
Review the list of test areas currently being developed. If you are currently certified and practicing in one or more of these areas, or preparing educator candidates in one of more of these areas, then we encourage your participation!
Reimbursement
These guidelines apply to individuals who attend the program's test development conferences/meetings. Additional reimbursement instructions will be made available before each conference/meeting. Completed forms should be submitted to Evaluation Systems as soon as possible after the conference to ensure reimbursement in four to six weeks.
Please send all correspondence regarding these policies to EvaluationSystemsCRG@pearson.com.
Please note: The Internal Revenue Service requires Evaluation Systems to have a social security number for all conference participants receiving expense reimbursements.
Substitute Teacher
During the school year (contract days), Evaluation Systems will reimburse a public school educator's school district for the cost of a substitute teacher. During the week following the conclusion of the conference, you will be sent a thank you email which, you will be instructed to forward to your school/district business office contact. This email will include a link for your school/district business office contact to complete the Online Substitute Reimbursement Submission Form.
Lodging
Hotel accommodations are available for those residing 50 or more miles from the meeting location, for those who are unable to travel due to adverse weather conditions, or as otherwise approved by Evaluation Systems. Hotel accommodations will be directly billed to Evaluation Systems. Although committee members will not be charged for their rooms, they will need to leave a deposit or credit card number at check-in to cover incidental expenses.
Travel
Evaluation Systems will reimburse personal automobile use at the federal mileage rate, roundtrip ground transportation, or airfare. Evaluation Systems requires prior approval for car rental and airfare expenses. Parking and toll expenses will also be reimbursed.
Meals
Depending on the conference agenda, a continental breakfast and lunch may be provided on the day of the conference. For meals that are not provided as a part of the meeting, a per diem reimbursement of $25 will be provided.
Your Reimbursement
Your expense reimbursement will be sent within approximately four to six weeks upon receipt of your correctly completed expense statement(s) and if you have submitted the following:
- W–9 form
Please note that a new W–9 form should be completed and returned for each test development conference that you attend. This policy is in place to ensure that there is no delay in processing your reimbursement check.
FAQs
Yes, you could be involved in the following types of test development activities:
- Content Validation Survey. As a public school educator or as a state-approved program provider faculty member, you may be selected to participate in a survey to verify the test objectives identified for each field represent important aspects of the field and are consistent with the practice of Georgia public school educators.
- Field Testing. If you are a faculty member in an educator preparation program, you may be asked to assist in field testing the draft test items for your field by encouraging your students to participate. Participating in the field test will allow students to preview the types of items that may be on the actual GACE tests.
Apply
To apply, please complete an online application. We will review your application, and if your qualifications match an opening, you will be sent an e-mail invitation. If all committees are full, we will keep your application on file for future use.
In-person meetings for all assessment fields will begin at the end of September 2024 in the Atlanta area.
Nominate
Do you know an interested party? Nominate your colleagues for consideration in serving on a Content Advisory Committee or the Fairness Review Committee.
Spread the Word
Share with school administrators and colleagues. Share this information with district-level human resource personnel, school principals, administrators, subject-area coordinators, and supervisors who may be able to nominate exemplary educators to participate in test development activities.
Share with program provider personnel. Share this information with deans/chairs, faculty, and others who may be able to nominate exemplary educators to participate in test development activities.