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GACE Updates

The testing supplier for the GACE program is changing from Educational Testing Service (ETS) to Evaluation Systems, Pearson (ES) effective July 1, 2025. Please click the links below for the current GACE transition policy for each group of assessments. Please note this policy may be subject to change and will be updated as needed. We remain committed to keeping all updated throughout the GACE transition process.


GACE Transition Policy from ETS to Evaluation Systems, Pearson (ES)

Until July 1, 2025, the current GACE program, including the registration process and testing calendar, will not change. Below is the current transition policy for each group of GACE assessments from our current GACE supplier, ETS, to the new testing supplier, Evaluation Systems, Pearson (ES). Click on each for the transition policy for that group of assessments, or access the transition policy here.

Please note June 15, 2025, is the last date to take a GACE content assessment with ETS. Additional transition dates for groups of assessments are available at the tabs below.

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 the Elementary Education Test 1 with ETS and expect to take Elementary Education Test 2 with ES to get credit for completing the Elementary Education GACE assessment.

Certified educators and those who prepare educators are encouraged to apply to participate in GACE development activities at www.garecruit.nesinc.com/.

GACE Content Assessments for Teaching, Service, and Educational Leadership (Tier I) Fields

  • The final GACE administration testing window for content assessments for teaching, service, and Educational Leadership (Tier I) closes June 15, 2025. This does not mean all content GACE assessments will be available that day. Please check the 2024-25 GACE testing schedule available at GACE Testing Windows and Score Reporting Dates 2024-25 (ets.org).
  • June 12, 2025, is the last day to request to test in MyPSC for a GACE content assessment with ETS offered on June 15, 2025.
  • It is critically important to note examinees must pass all parts of an assessment with the same testing supplier for that assessment to count toward certification. Since scores from two testing suppliers are not comparable, passing scores on tests within an assessment cannot be split between the two suppliers. For example, an examinee cannot pass Elementary Education (Test I) with the current supplier, ETS and expect to take the remainder of that assessment with the new supplier, Evaluation Systems (ES) to get credit for completing a GACE assessment.

Literacy Assessment for Initial Teaching Fields

Every teaching preparation field is aligned to one of three literacy assessments as follows:
  • The Application of the Science of Reading Assessment is aligned with the following preparation programs:
    • Birth Through Kindergarten and Special Education Preschool
    • Elementary Education (P-5), Special Education General Curriculum/Elementary Education (P-5), and Middle Grades Reading
    • Special Education (P-12) fields of General Curriculum, Adapted Curriculum, Physical and Health Disabilities, and Visual Impairment
  • The Application of Literacy Instruction for Deaf Education is aligned to the field of Deaf Education.
  • The Fundamentals of the Science of Reading Assessment is aligned with the following preparation programs:
    • Middle Grades (4-8) English language arts, mathematics, science, and social science
    • Secondary (6-12) fields: Agriculture Education, Business Education, Career & Technical Specializations, JROCT, Economics Education, English Education, Family and Consumer Sciences Education, Geography Education, Healthcare Science, History Education, Marketing Education, Mathematics Education, Political Science Education, Science Education, and Speech Education
    • P-12 fields of Art, Computer Science, Dance, Drama, Engineering and Technology, English to Speakers of Other Languages, Health and Physical Education, Music, and World (formerly Foreign) Languages
Below is the literacy assessment policy for the literacy assessments (Application and Fundamentals):
  • In-State: Initial Teaching Preparation
    • Candidates beginning (enrolled and taking one or more classes) a GaPSC-approved initial teacher certification program on or after June 1, 2025, must attempt the appropriate literacy assessment prior to program completion and must pass the appropriate literacy assessment for certification. Candidates who begin taking classes prior to June 1, 2025, are not required to attempt the test.
  • Out-of-State: Initial Teaching Preparation
    • Candidates beginning (enrolled and taking one or more classes) an out-of-state educator preparation program in an initial teaching field(s) on or after June 1, 2025, who are completing field and clinical experiences in Georgia must attempt the appropriate Literacy assessment prior to program completion and must pass the appropriate literacy assessment for Georgia certification. Candidates who begin taking classes prior to June 1, 2025, are not required to attempt the test.
  • Adding a Teaching Field to a Georgia Teaching Certificate
    • Georgia educators seeking to add a new teaching field to a five-year Induction or Professional teaching certificate must pass the appropriate content assessment, and, effective July 1, 2025, the appropriate literacy assessment.
  • Reciprocity
    • Effective July 1, 2026, all out-of-state educators applying for Georgia Teaching certification must meet the literacy assessment requirement by passing the appropriate Georgia state-approved literacy assessment or by passing a GaPSC-accepted literacy assessment approved by another state.
  • Changing Teaching Placements
    • Once the appropriate literacy assessment requirement has been met, educators who are assigned to teach a different subject or grade level do not need to retake the same literacy assessment.
    • Educators who take the Application of the Science of Reading for a teaching field, do not need to take the Fundamentals of the Science of Reading for a different field aligned to the Fundamentals assessment.
    • Educators who take the Fundamentals of Science of Reading for their field of preparation, must take and pass the Applications of the Science of Reading to receive certification in a field aligned with the Application of the Science of Reading assessment.

Ethics Assessments

  • The two ethics assessments (Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment and the Georgia Assessment for Education Leaders) will change testing suppliers effective July 1, 2025. The ethics assessments will transition to Evaluation Systems July 1, 2025.
  • The final date to request to register for an ETS ethics assessment in MyPSC is June 12, 2025.
  • All ethics assessments with ETS must be completed in full by June 30, 2025. Test takers are encouraged to register for and begin the instructional modules within the assessment by June 1, 2025, yet all modules must be completed by June 30, 2025.
  • Ethics assessments still in progress with ETS after June 30, 2025, will be cancelled with no refund.
  • Test takers who have not completed all modules within the ethics assessment by June 30, 2025, must take Evaluation Systems’ ethics assessment(s) on our after July 1, 2025.

Paraprofessional Assessment

  • No additional GACE Paraprofessional Assessments with the current supplier, ETS, will be administered after June 15, 2025, including administrations at GACE Prometric and Non-Prometric test sites, as well as the At-Home proctored version.
  • The GACE Paraprofessional Assessment with ES will be administered on or after July 1, 2025.

Teacher Leadership Assessment

  • The GaPSC accepts the portfolio-based GACE Teacher Leadership assessment administered by ETS on or before May 1, 2026, which is the Spring 2026 2nd resubmission score report date.
  • June 12, 2025, is the last date educator preparation providers (EPPs) can grant eligibility to test candidates submitting the portfolio-based Teacher Leadership assessment administered by ETS.
  • While it is up to the test taker and/or EPP regarding submission/resubmission of the portfolio-based Teacher Leadership GACE with ETS, the new Teacher Leadership Assessment with Evaluation Systems will be accepted for Teacher Leadership certification effective July 1, 2025.

Educational Leadership Tier II Assessment

  • The GaPSC accepts the Performance Assessment for Leaders (PASL) administered by ETS on or before May 15, 2026, which is the Spring 2026 2nd resubmission score report date.
  • June 12, 2025, is the last date educator preparation providers (EPPs) can grant eligibility to test candidates submitting the portfolio-based Teacher Leadership assessment administered by ETS.
  • While it is up to the test taker and/or EPP regarding submission/resubmission of the portfolio-based PASL, the new EDL Tier II assessment with Evaluation Systems will be accepted for Educational Leadership Tier II certification effective July 1, 2025.