TAPP Memo - Alternate Teaching Certification Information

Memorandum
To: Georgia TAPP Candidate
From: Ken Clouse, Assistant Superintendent
Cartersville City Schools
Date: January 27, 2012

Thank you for your interest in the Cartersville City Schools and the teaching profession. As governed by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC), the Georgia Teacher Academy for Preparation & Pedagogy (GaTAPP) program provides alternative routes to teacher preparation for qualified individuals to teach on an intern basis while completing certification requirements. GaTAPP is designed for candidates wanting to enter the teaching profession in a core content area primarily in middle grades and high school.

The GaTAPP program typically begins with an instructional phase as an introduction to the essentials of effective teaching; continues with periodic classes/ seminars/workshops during a period of time; on-going supervision and evaluation from the school officials and program coordinator; and specific required assessments. Additionally, candidates must complete a course in special needs children and a course in using technology in the classroom. Some candidates may require additional classes depending upon particular circumstances and identified needs.

The Cartersville City School System has participated in the GaTAPP program on a very limited and as-needed basis in collaboration with Northwest Georgia RESA (Rome, Ga). The following provides the basic criteria for the program as utilized by Cartersville City Schools.

1.  To be eligible a candidate must:

  • have at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related teaching field, (not all teaching fields are available for the GaTAPP program);
  • have at least a 2.5 grade point average in the bachelor’s program on a 4.00 scale if the program was completed in the last 10 years OR been accepted into or completed a Masters level program;
  • have passed the GACE Basic Skills Test (or exempt by having a combined verbal and math SAT scores of 1000; a combined GRE verbal and quantitative score of 1030; or a combined English and math ACT scores of 43); 
      • You may register for the GACE Test at www.gace/nesinc.com.
      • To obtain SAT or GRE scores, you can contact the Educational Testing Service at www.ETS.org.  ACT scores can be obtained at www.ACT.org.  SAT and ACT scores are sometimes available on your high school transcript.
  • have evidence of content knowledge by having passed the GACE assessment in the content area of the teaching field or have a major in that field with 21 semester hours;
      • Special Education candidates may have a major/concentration in any area depending upon the particular teaching assignment.
  • have a satisfactory criminal background check and clearance; and

2. Qualified candidates must submit to the Cartersville City School Board:

  • a letter of interest, stating they are a TAPP candidate;
  • a current resume
  • a complete Cartersville City School application (available at www.cartersville.k12.ga.us).
  • complete set of college transcripts (form available at www.cartersville.k12.ga.us).
  • evidence of required GACE testing or its equivalent

3.  When a vacancy occurs, the principal may consider and/or interview a qualified TAPP candidate. 
     Candidates must be hired by the school system before beginning their work as a TAPP teacher.

4.  Other information:

  • the RESA fee for the TAPP program is $3500.  The school system may assume part of the cost of the program.
  • Once hired, the system submits the official transcripts and requests certification from PSC.

Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools & Georgia Accrediting Commission, Incorporated. It is the policy of the Cartersville School Board not to discriminate on the basis of sex, race, marital status, age, religion, national origin or handicap in its educational programs, activities or employment practices.

Cartersville School System