ACE - Professional Development Certification Program
The ACE Professional Development Certification Program is designed to provide mid-career professionals the opportunity to fulfill instructional requirements to qualify as an educator. After completing the ACE program, the participant may seek a professional teaching certificate.
Need Help?
Professional Development
Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE)
Polk County Public Schools offers free assistance for teachers preparing for the FTCE General Knowledge Test.
Throughout the year, the Office of Professional Development schedules face-to-face review classes for the math, English, and essay portions of the FTCE General Knowledge Test. Classes are free for district employees and some charter school participants; the cost for those out of district is $100.
Classes fill up quickly. Watch the district weekly email via theHUB or contact Professional Development for more information.
Information about other ways of documenting General Knowledge can be found on the Florida Department of Education Website
The Florida Department of Education Provides videos with test-taking hints and tricks and advice on how to study/what to study for the FTCE Teacher Exams. You can find those recordings below.
If you require testing accommodations due to a disability visit the link below.
If you are retired or active in the military, you may qualify for financial assistance with certification and testing requirements.
NavaED Publishing is under investigation and their resources are not an appropriate source of teacher test study materials.
General Knowledge Test Study Assistance
You can request a study book for the General Knowledge Test from lauri.christopher@polk-fl.net
Math- We have some materials that can help you prepare for the math FTCE General Knowledge Subtest. You can request them from lauri.christopher@polk-fl.net
Reading- You can request a license to use a Townsend Press intensive reading site by signing up here. (*you may need to sign in to your google apps account and then click the link to sign up for this access)
English- We have some materials that can help you prepare for the English FTCE General Knowledge Subtest. You can request them from lauri.christopher@polk-fl.net
Subject Area Test Study Assistance
Free study information and study guides are available from the testing contractor website. Each study guide includes a Table of Competencies and Skills Tested and a list of all resources used to create each test.
We suggest textbooks to study and prepare for the subject area tests. The PCSB Surplus Property Warehouse located on Route 60 in Bartow is open on Thursdays during the school day. They have discarded textbooks for all subjects and is a good resource for finding free study materials.
Subject Areas We Currently Provide Study Materials for:
Elementary Education Subject Area: Moodle Study Materials
Engineering and Technology Subject Area: Sign up for study course in NetConnect Course #11275 Section #50541
Elementary Education Science Subject Area Exam Practice
Professional Education Test Study Assistance
Free study information and study guides are available from the testing contractor website. Each study guide includes a Table of Competencies and Skills Tested, and a list of all resources used to create each test. Click here for more information about the Professional Education test.
Click here for the Moodle Site for study materials provided by the ACE Program
Other FTCE Study Options to Consider
University of Phoenix~ Complimentary FTCE study workshops
University of Central Florida~Fee based workshops offered both in person and online
Academy of Leadership
Our professional development department also offers leadership opportunities. Under the Academy of Leadership, we offer the Aspiring Leaders Program, onboarding courses for new Principals and Assistant Principals, and the Principal Internship Program. If you are not staff but would like to participate in the opportunity, click the contact button at the top of the page.
Professional Development for Non-Employees
Persons who are not employees of the Polk County Schools may be eligible to participate in professional learning activities offered by the district through NetConnect. They may also receive in-service credit toward renewal of their Florida professional educator certificate based on successful participation and completion of related follow-up processes.
For information about training events and further development log in to theHUB for Staff.
If you are not currently a staff member but are interested in becoming an administrator or participating in other professional development opportunities, please click the contact button at the top of the page.
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