Georgia TAPP Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Georgia TAPP?
Georgia TAPP is an acronym for The Georgia Teacher Alternative Preparation Program®. Georgia TAPP:
  • Is utilized by the State of Georgia to help reduce Georgia's teacher shortage
  • Enables individuals with a bachelor's degree or higher (who meet eligibility requirements for the program), to teach (classroom-based option) early childhood, middle-grades, or secondary education
  • Is delivered by various program providers throughout Georgia
2. What are the Georgia TAPP eligibility requirements for candidates?
Candidates must have:
  • A bachelor's degree in an appropriate field, with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 in all college-level work unless you've been accepted into a Masters level program, or the GPA is over 10 years old
  • A passing score on the GACE® Basic Skills Assessment (or SAT, ACT, or GRE scores high enough to exempt this requirement). View GACE® basic skills requirement for exemption scores ) 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 also available on high school transcripts.
    -It is also possible to exempt the GACE Basic Skills Assessment if you passed the Praxis I test prior to September 1, 2006.
  • A satisfactory criminal background check
  • An offer of a full-time teaching position by a participating school system

Back to Top
3. What is a program provider?
Program providers are colleges, universities, Regional Education Service Agencies (RESAs), or Local Education Agencies (LEAs) approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC) to offer a Georgia TAPP program.
4. Who are the program providers?
Please visit the Program Providers list for current Georgia TAPP programs
5. How long is the Georgia TAPP program?
The Georgia TAPP program is a two-year program.

Back to Top
6. I understand that I must secure a job offer to participate in Georgia TAPP; how do I accomplish this?
The PSC has a Recruitment Services Division for teachers. Please visit www.teachgeorgia.org for additional information.
7. How much does Georgia TAPP cost?
The tuition costs for candidates will be determined by the type of program the candidate completes. If college credit is awarded, the candidate is responsible for tuition.
8. I tried filling out an application for the Georgia TAPP program online and ran into complications.
9. I filled out an application for the Georgia TAPP program online. How soon will I hear from you?
10. How do I get an application for the Georgia TAPP program?
The PSC approves the programs offered by the program providers. It does not provide applications or select candidates for the Georgia TAPP program. The program providers supply prospective program candidates applications for consideration into their program. Please visit a list of Program Providers and contact information. (Typically the provider listing and contact information is available beginning May 1st.)

Back to Top
11. Can a previously certified teacher with two years of teaching experience be a Georgia TAPP candidate?
No, the Georgia TAPP program is designed for individuals who have no formal preparation in teaching, little or no teaching experience, and no state certification.
12. Can a Georgia TAPP teacher-candidate change school systems and continue in the program?
Teacher-candidates may change school systems and continue in the program, provided that it is a satisfactory arrangement with the employing school system and the Georgia TAPP provider.
13. What is the GACE® Basic Skills Assessment?
The GACE® Basic Skills Assessment is a series of three basic skills tests (mathematics, reading, writing) for which Georgia TAPP teacher-candidates must have passing scores in order to apply for an intern certificate.

Back to Top
14. How do I register for the GACE® tests? Where and when are the tests given?
For information, visit the GACE® web site at www.gace.nesinc.com.
15. What are the exemptions for PSC's basic skills requirement?
Exemptions include qualifying scores on one of the following assessments:
 
  1. ACT - 21 English & 22 Mathematics or 43 Combined


  2. GRE - 490 Verbal & 540 Quantitative or 1030 Combined


  3. SAT - 480 Verbal & 520 Mathematics or 1000 Combined
16. Is there a time limit for these scores (ACT, GRE or SAT)?
No.
17. How can I obtain my scores?
To secure PRAXIS, SAT or GRE scores, contact Educational Testing Service at www.ETS.org. ACT scores can be obtained at www.ACT.org. GACE® scores are sent from NES.

Back to Top

18. Can I retake the SAT instead of taking the GACE® Basic Skills Tests to obtain qualifying scores?
Yes.
19. Is a 2.5 GPA essential? For example, can a 2.49 be rounded off to 2.5?
GPA's are not rounded off. Candidates must have at least a 2.5 overall GPA on all college work completed, or accepted into a Master degree program by an accredited, PSC-approved college/university, or the GPA is over 10 years old.
20. Where and when are Georgia TAPP informational meetings/sessions held?
Program providers may offer Georgia TAPP information sessions for their Georgia TAPP programs. Please visit the PSC's website at Program Providers to obtain this information.
21. Does this program involve my going back to school full-time?
No. Teacher-candidates will teach during the day and attend classes in the evening while in the Georgia TAPP program. The coursework candidates take is determined by the program provider.

Back to Top
22. Will I be paid for teaching while participating in GATAPP®?
Yes. Georgia TAPP Teacher-Candidates are paid the same as teachers with a nonrenewable certification including any local supplements.

 
  Home Criminal Background Info Required Testing GATAPP® Employers PSC Home Page  
Copyright 2001 Professional Standards Commission