College of Education
GACE Information
The purpose of the GACE is to assess the knowledge and skills of prospective Georgia public school educators. The GACE program helps the PSC meet its goal of ensuring that candidates have the knowledge and skills needed to perform the job of an educator in Georgia public schools. The GACE are aligned with state and national standards for educator preparation and with state standards for the P–12 student curriculum (Georgia Performance Standards).
The GACE 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. The tests were developed in consultation with committees of Georgia educators, educator preparation faculty, and other content and assessment specialists. Test questions were reviewed and approved by committees of Georgia educators. The passing score for each test is established by the PSC and is based on the professional judgments and recommendations of Georgia educators.
Although paper announcements are available in the Office of Academic Assistance, the PSC recommends that all applicants for the GACE visit and register through the GACE website. Students who have taken the Praxis I examination prior to September 1, 2006 will still be able to use these scores for admission and certification purposes.
Exemptions
The current options for satisfying the Basic Skills Assessment, including the exemptions, are outlined at http://www.gapsc.com/documentation/basicskillsinfo.asp. Under "Basic Skills Testing," go to "Options to Satisfy the Basic Skills Requirement."
Official score results must be provided the Office of Academic Assistance directly from the testing agency for the exemption to be made. Verification of exemption is automatically made by the admissions counselor at the time of application. GRE scores may be used to exempt the GACE, even if the GRE is not required for admission into the selected program.