Georgia Leadership Academy Preparation Program

GaLAPP is an alternative leadership preparation program designed for individuals who were not prepared as leaders in a traditional preparation program but who have been hired as educational leaders. A Tier I Educational Leadership certificate qualifies an individual to hold entry-level leadership positions, such as assistant principals and district-level positions that do not supervise principals. A Tier II Educational Leadership certificate builds on the foundation of Tier I training and qualifies an individual to hold any leadership position.

Pioneer RESA has been approved to offer both a Tier I and Tier II Educational Leadership program, and both programs will begin in July 2026.

Applications open on February 2, 2026.

Program Admissions

  • The candidate must be employed in a position requiring the specific leadership certification sought (Tier I or Tier II) for one-half or more each day.

  • The candidate must hold a minimum of a master’s degree.

  • The candidate’s system must recommend the candidate for participation in the program and must apply for a non-renewable leadership certificate for the candidate.

  • For Tier II admission, Tier I certification is required.

  • The candidate must pass the Georgia Ethics for Educational Leadership Assessment (#352).

  • The candidate must provide evidence of successful teaching and teacher leadership experience.

  • The candidate must provide evidence of engaging colleagues in professional learning opportunities.

  • The candidate must exhibit professional leadership dispositions.

GaLAPP Framework:

  • Candidates are supervised and coached by a Candidate Support Team (school or system-based Administrator, school or system-based Mentor, RESA Coach).

  • Candidates attend synchronous seminars and complete monthly online modules.

  • Candidates participate in a job-embedded clinical practice based on the Georgia Educational Leader Standards.

  • Candidates complete job-embedded projects and assignments.

  • Candidates must pass the applicable Educational Leadership GACE prior to program completion.

GaLAPP Timeframe:

  • Pioneer RESA only accepts candidates prior to or at the beginning of each school year.

  • Tier I and Tier II are both year long programs.

All candidates must complete the all-day Essentials Course which will be held in-person at Pioneer RESA.

For more information contact:

Professional Learning
706-865-2141