Georgia Professional Standards Commission Meeting Report - July 2025

The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) met virtually July 10 and 11.

GaPSC Released Guidance on AI Use by Educators Last month, the GaPSC released a new guidance document focused on ethical use of artificial intelligence by educators. The document links to a survey so that educators may provide feedback and suggested edits on the guidance.

Click Here to View The Guidance Document

Executive Secretary Update

GaPSC Executive Secretary Jody Barrow updated commissioners on the GaPSC's work to develop recommendations to strengthen the educator workforce as directed by SR 237. He stated that a draft framework was shared among the heads of state agencies and educator organizations. A meeting to narrow the focus of the work will be held July 28. The Southern Regional Education Board will assist with this process. PAGE will attend this meeting and looks forward to working with the GaPSC and other educator organizations to support Georgia's educator workforce.

Barrow stated that the new GACE assessments were introduced July 1. The website for the new assessments is online and includes several resources for educators.

GACE Standard-Setting Process

GaPSC Program Director Anne Marie Fenton led a discussion regarding the recently set passing scores for several new GACE assessments. Based on further analysis by Evaluation Systems Pearson (ES), it was determined that the previously approved scores were too permissive. This analysis appears largely based upon the effects of the new testlet model.

As a result, the Commission voted to reset the passing scores for the Content, Service, Paraprofessional, and Literacy assessments at a scaled score of 220. Fenton noted that no assessments have yet been evaluated.

Rules

The commission approved several rules for initiation. Full information on the proposed rules can be found HERE. The proposed rules will remain open for public comment until Aug. 21. Comments should be addressed to GaPSC Executive Secretary, Dr. Joseph C. Barrow at RulesComments@GaPSC.com.

Educator Preparation & Certification

The commission granted Developmental Approval for the Computer Science Endorsement administered by First District RESA. They also granted Continuing Approval for the following DeKalb County School District programs:



• The EPP

• Georgia Teacher Academy for Preparation and Pedagogy (GaTAPP) Program

• ESOL Endorsement

• Gifted In-Field Endorsement

• Teacher Support and Coaching Endorsement

A progress report from DeKalb County is due July 9, 2026, addressing the areas for improvement (AFIs) in Standard 5.2 for the EPP, and Standards 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4 for the ESOL Endorsement.

Ethics

The commission approved all recommendations for cases on the agenda.

During the Ethics Committee meeting, members discussed a case in which a teacher was accused of bringing and leaving a dangerous drug on school property. The committee debated the most appropriate sanction. Ultimately, the committee moved to recommend a one-year suspension with the understanding that further action would be taken upon after any criminal conviction.

Next Meeting The next committee meetings are virtual Aug. 13. The next commission meeting is virtual Aug. 14.