IMPORTANT NOTE:
The testing supplier for the GACE program is changing from Educational Testing Service (ETS) to Evaluation Systems of Pearson (ES).
Until July 1, 2025, there will be no changes to the GACE program.
Because scores from tests offered by different test suppliers are not comparable,
examinees must pass all parts of an assessment with the same testing supplier for that assessment to count toward certification.
Passing scores on tests within an assessment cannot be split between the two suppliers. For example, an examinee cannot pass a test
with ETS and expect to take the same test with ES to get credit for completing a GACE assessment.
To stay updated on the GACE program, please visit the
Latest on GACE page.
NOTICE ABOUT PAA and edTPA
Program Admission Assessment: Effective July 1, 2022, the Georgia Professional
Standards Commission no longer requires the Program Admission Assessment (PAA) for admission to a state-approved educator
preparation program or for provisional certification.
edTPA: Effective July 1, 2020, the Georgia Professional Standards Commission no
longer requires edTPA for program completion or state certification.
About GACE
The Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators® (
GACE) is Georgia’s state-approved educator certification assessment program (see "Speech and Language Pathology" exception below). The purpose of the GACE is to help the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) ensure that candidates have the knowledge and skills needed to perform the job of an educator in Georgia's public schools. These computer-delivered assessments have been developed by the GaPSC and Educational Testing Service (ETS).
All GACE assessments are aligned with the state standards for the P-12 curriculum and with state and national content standards. Each GACE test was developed by Georgia educators from across the state, including the participation of committees of Georgia educators, educator preparation faculty, and other content and assessment specialists, including individuals from school systems, local schools, institutions of higher education (public and private), and other stakeholders. In other words, each GACE was developed by Georgia educators to measure competency on what is taught in Georgia's P-12 classrooms.
The GACE assessments are criterion-referenced, objective-based assessments designed to measure a candidate's knowledge and skills in relation to an established standard rather than in relation to the performance of other candidates. Test questions were reviewed and approved by three committees of Georgia educators and educator preparation faculty, which includes a bias review to ensure all test questions, are bias-free. The passing score for each test is established by the agency Commissioners and is based on the professional judgments and recommendations of Georgia educators.
For information about preparation, registration, test dates and sites, rules of test participation, etc., of the GACE program, access
www.gace.ets.org. For information on Georgia-accepted assessments and passing scores, including the Speech and Language Pathology exception,
click here.