IMPORTANT NOTICE

GACE Computer Skills Competency Assessment is
NO LONGER REQUIRED!

Date:   April 22, 2010

From:  Kelly Henson, Executive Secretary
Georgia Professional Standards Commission

Re:     Computer Skill Competency Requirement

Dear Colleagues:

Effective immediately, the Computer Skill Competency (CSC) Special Georgia Requirement is waived for educator certification.

The CSC requirement was put in place by the PSC as a response to legislation and required educators in Georgia to demonstrate satisfactory proficiency on a PSC approved test of computer skill competency or to complete a PSC approved course. At the April 8, 2010, PSC commission meeting, a change to PSC Rule 505-2-.20 Special Georgia Requirements was initiated to remove the CSC requirement. The Commissioners agreed to waive the requirement until the rule change becomes official, which is expected on July 15, 2010.

The CSC requirement has served its original intent, which was to ensure Georgia educators have satisfactory knowledge of computer skills. As educators who complete a state approved educator preparation program since 2001 are exempt from this requirement since technology is imbedded in their preparation programs, and as the number of educators that have met the requirement upon certificate renewal has increased significantly, the PSC recognizes this component is no longer needed as a special Georgia requirement. The cost to educators and their school systems of time and resources associated with meeting this requirement can no longer be justified.

In response to this CSC waiver, the GACE Computer Skill Competency assessment (GACE 178), which could be passed as a test out option for the requirement, is no longer available.

The PSC acknowledges and is very appreciative of the work of the Education Technology Centers, Institutions of Higher Education, Regional Educational Service Agencies, school systems and schools that helped educators meet the CSC requirement by offering the PSC approved course or GACE Internet-Based Testing.

Thank you in advance for your assistance in communicating the above information and for your continued collaboration. Please let me know what questions you may have.