Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 506 - PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES COMMISSION › Chapter 506-4 - STANDARDS OF COMPETENT PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE › Rule 506-4-.01 - General

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
(1)
Intent of the Chapter.
The
			 standards listed in this chapter are held to be the generally accepted minimal
			 standards of the education profession in Georgia and are therefore declared to
			 be the basis for reviewing the performance of professional educators. It is the
			 intent of the Professional Practices Commission that the standards set forth in
			 this Chapter shall apply to those who teach in classrooms and those who
			 supervise and provide administrative services and provide administrative
			 services to those who teach in classrooms. Professional reviewers appointed by
			 the Commission shall review professional performance and form opinions of the
			 quality of professional service rendered. The reviewers shall relate such
			 opinions by sworn testimony before the Commission in any hearing where
			 professional competency is an issue provided that reviewers qualify as expert
			 witnesses before the Commission. Testimony therefrom shall be based on the
			 standards included in this Chapter. No finding of professional incompetency
			 shall be made except where a preponderance of evidence exists of such
			 incompetency. Professional reviewers, upon proper request as authorized by law,
			 may be appointed by the Executive Director of the Commission to review
			 professional performance and form opinions of the quality of professional
			 service rendered and make corrective recommendations. Such professional reviews
			 shall be conducted for the sole purpose of remediating professional performance
			 to improve the quality of education.
(2)
Supplementary Definitions.
In an effort to promote understanding and consistency within the provisions of
			 this Chapter, in addition to the definitions provide in Chapter 1 of these
			 Rules, the following words and terms, when used in this Chapter, shall have the
			 following meanings:
(a)
Administrative.
Pertaining to the execution, application or
			 management of persons or things.
(b)
Appeal.
A request for a
			 nonjudicial review of an action related to grievances, complaints, conditions
			 or situations.
(c)
Available.
That which can be used or obtained.
(d)
Certificate, Certified,
			 Certification.
These terms and similar terms are references to the
			 certificate issued by the Professional Standards Commission to Certified
			 Personnel as defined below.
(e)
Certified Personnel.
These positions required to be certified by
			 the implementation of the provisions of O.C.G.A. Section
			  20-2-200.
(f)
Communication Skills.
The
			 capacity, ability or art of giving and receiving, through any of the senses,
			 information, ideas and attitudes.
(g)
Competent.
The ability or
			 fitness to discharge the required duties as set forth in this
			 Chapter.
(h)
Complainant.
That party by whom, or on whose behalf, a complaint
			 is filed.
(i)
Complaint.
A problem involving professional performance or
			 relationship where the ultimate solution is normally within the province of the
			 profession.
(j)
Designated
			 Task.
The duty or assignment for which a person is responsible at any
			 given time.
(k)
Diagnosis.
Identification of needs, strengths and weaknesses
			 through examination, observation and analysis.
(l)
Educator.
Any person engaged
			 in the instructional program, including those engaged in the instructional
			 program, including those engaged in teaching, administering and supervising,
			 who is required to be certified.
(m)
Effective.
Producing a
			 definite or desired result.
(n)
Hearing.
Commission proceedings for the formulation of a
			 recommendation to the Georgia Board of Education, to a Local Board or to the
			 Professional Standards Commission.
(o)
Hearing Committee.
The three
			 Commission members appointed to the Hearing Committee.
(p)
Hearing Officer.
Qualified
			 member of the Georgia Bar competent by reason of training or
			 experience.
(q)
Management.
Controlling, supervising and guiding the efforts of
			 others.
(r)
Order.
The
			 whole or any part of the final decision of the Professional Standards
			 Commission.
(s)
Party.
Individuals, partnerships, corporations, associations, departments of education
			 or public or private organizations of any character, and any agency allowed to
			 intervene in a Commission proceeding.
(t)
Person.
Anyone who is
			 seeking to establish or maintain certification as defined above.
(u)
Policy.
Authorized
			 expressions of public intent reflecting the general principles guiding the
			 efforts of the school system or school toward approved goals.
(v)
Preponderance of Evidence.
A
			 superiority of weight.
(w)
Reasonable.
Just and proper; ordinary or usual; fit and
			 appropriate to the end in view.
(x)
Respondent.
The party against whom the complaint is
			 made.