PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 961 PRINTER'S NO. 1443
No. 847 Session of 2007
INTRODUCED BY CONKLIN, ROEBUCK, CALTAGIRONE, McILVAINE SMITH,
THOMAS AND FREEMAN, MARCH 19, 2007
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, APRIL 25, 2007
AN ACT
1 Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
2 act relating to the public school system, including certain
3 provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
4 schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
5 laws relating thereto," further providing for eligibility and
6 for qualifications; AND PROVIDING FOR CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL <--
7 DEVELOPMENT FOR SCHOOL AND SYSTEM LEADERS AND FOR
8 PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL LEADERSHIP STANDARDS.
9 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
10 hereby enacts as follows:
11 Section 1. Section 1003 of the act of March 10, 1949
12 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949,
13 amended December 19, 1975 (P.L.511, No.150), is amended to read:
14 Section 1003. Eligibility.--[No] (a) Except as provided in <--
15 subsection (b), no person shall be eligible for election or
16 appointment as a district[,] or assistant district
17 superintendent[, unless--] unless all of the following apply:
18 (1) [He] The person holds a diploma from a college or other
19 institution approved by the Department of Education[;].
20 (2) [He] The person has had six (6) years' successful
1 teaching experience, not less than three of which shall have
2 been in a supervisory or administrative capacity[;].
3 (3) [He] The person has completed in a college or university
4 a graduate [course] program in education approved by the
5 Department of Education[;]. Completion of the program shall not
6 be subject to waiver under section 1714-B unless the candidate
7 provides to the Secretary of Education evidence that the
8 candidate has successfully completed an equivalent leadership
9 development program that addresses the standards specified in
10 regulations of the State Board of Education.
11 [(4) Provided that in] (b) (1) In school districts of the
12 first class, five (5) years of administrative experience at the
13 level of assistant, associate or deputy superintendent[,] may be
14 substituted for prescribed graduate administrative courses[, and
15 which]. It shall be the responsibility of the Secretary of
16 Education to review these equivalences to conform with State
17 board regulations.
18 (2) Serving either as county, district[,] or assistant
19 county [or], district [superintendent,] or associate
20 superintendent, in this Commonwealth[, at the time this act
21 becomes effective,] on July 1, 1949 or, in a school district of
22 the first class, on January 1, 1950 shall, [irrespective of the
23 foregoing requirements,] be considered sufficient qualification
24 for [any of the aforesaid offices] assistant county, district or
25 associate superintendent.
26 SECTION 1003. ELIGIBILITY.--NO PERSON SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR <--
27 ELECTION OR APPOINTMENT AS A DISTRICT, OR ASSISTANT DISTRICT
28 SUPERINTENDENT, UNLESS--
29 (1) HE HOLDS A DIPLOMA FROM A COLLEGE OR OTHER INSTITUTION
30 APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION;
20070H0847B1443 - 2 -
1 (2) HE HAS HAD SIX (6) YEARS' SUCCESSFUL TEACHING
2 EXPERIENCE, NOT LESS THAN THREE OF WHICH SHALL HAVE BEEN IN A
3 SUPERVISORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITY;
4 (3) HE HAS COMPLETED IN A COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY A GRADUATE
5 [COURSE] PROGRAM IN EDUCATION APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
6 EDUCATION[;] THAT INCLUDES THE PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
7 STANDARDS UNDER SECTION 1217. COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM SHALL
8 NOT BE SUBJECT TO WAIVER UNDER SECTION 1714-B UNLESS THE
9 CANDIDATE PROVIDES TO THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION EVIDENCE THAT
10 HE HAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED AN EQUIVALENT LEADERSHIP
11 DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM THAT ADDRESSES THE SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
12 STANDARDS UNDER SECTION 1217.
13 (4) PROVIDED THAT IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS OF THE FIRST CLASS,
14 FIVE (5) YEARS OF ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE AT THE LEVEL OF
15 ASSISTANT, ASSOCIATE OR DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT, MAY BE
16 SUBSTITUTED FOR PRESCRIBED GRADUATE ADMINISTRATIVE COURSES, AND
17 WHICH SHALL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION
18 TO REVIEW THESE EQUIVALENCES TO CONFORM WITH STATE BOARD
19 REGULATIONS.
20 SERVING EITHER AS COUNTY, DISTRICT, OR ASSISTANT COUNTY OR
21 DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT, OR ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT, IN THIS
22 COMMONWEALTH, AT THE TIME THIS ACT BECOMES EFFECTIVE, SHALL,
23 IRRESPECTIVE OF THE FOREGOING REQUIREMENTS, BE CONSIDERED
24 SUFFICIENT QUALIFICATION FOR ANY OF THE AFORESAID OFFICES.
25 Section 2. Section 1109 of the act, amended March 19, 1970
26 (P.L.189, No.73), is amended to read:
27 Section 1109. Qualifications.--(a) Every teacher employed
28 to teach in the public schools of this Commonwealth must be a
29 person of good moral character, must be at least eighteen years
30 of age, and must be a citizen of the United States: Provided,
20070H0847B1443 - 3 -
1 That citizenship may be waived in the case of exchange teachers
2 not permanently employed, and teachers employed for the purpose
3 of teaching foreign languages, including special teachers who
4 speak the idiomatic or colloquial language of immigrants
5 residing in the school district, and employed for the purpose of
6 easing the transition period of such immigrants.
7 (b) Every principal appointed after August thirty-first, one
8 thousand nine hundred fifty-three, employed in the public
9 schools of this Commonwealth, who devotes one-half or more of
10 his time to supervision and administration, shall be properly
11 certificated by the Department of Public Instruction in
12 accordance with such standards as the State Board of Education
13 may establish.
14 (c) Individuals who apply after January 1, 2008, for a <--
15 certificate to become eligible to serve as a principal or
16 assistant principal in a public school in this Commonwealth and
17 who otherwise meet the requirements for the certificate shall be
18 issued an Administrative I certificate. No individual may serve
19 as a principal or assistant principal on an Administrative I
20 certificate for more than five school years.
21 (d) The holder of an Administrative I certificate shall be
22 issued an Administrative II certificate upon application to the
23 department verifying three years of satisfactory service on an
24 Administrative I certificate and successful completion of a
25 professional development program for administrators as described
26 in regulations of the State Board of Education.
27 (C) INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE GRANTED AN ADMINISTRATIVE <--
28 CERTIFICATE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PRIOR TO JANUARY 1,
29 2008, AND WHO ARE EMPLOYED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A POSITION OF
30 PRINCIPAL, VICE PRINCIPAL OR ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL IN A PUBLIC
20070H0847B1443 - 4 -
1 SCHOOL OF THIS COMMONWEALTH ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2008, SHALL
2 COMPLETE THE INDUCTION PROGRAM PROVIDED FOR IN SUBSECTION (F)
3 WITHIN FIVE YEARS OF APPOINTMENT AS A PRINCIPAL, VICE PRINCIPAL
4 OR ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL.
5 (D) INDIVIDUALS WHO APPLY ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2008, FOR A
6 CERTIFICATE TO BECOME ELIGIBLE TO SERVE AS A PRINCIPAL, VICE
7 PRINCIPAL OR ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL IN THIS
8 COMMONWEALTH AND WHO OTHERWISE MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCH
9 CERTIFICATE SHALL BE ISSUED AN ADMINISTRATIVE I CERTIFICATE. NO
10 INDIVIDUAL MAY SERVE AS A PRINCIPAL, VICE PRINCIPAL OR ASSISTANT
11 PRINCIPAL ON AN ADMINISTRATIVE I CERTIFICATE FOR MORE THAN FIVE
12 SCHOOL YEARS.
13 (E) THE HOLDER OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE I CERTIFICATE SHALL BE
14 ISSUED AN ADMINISTRATIVE II CERTIFICATE UPON APPLICATION TO THE
15 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION VERIFYING THREE YEARS OF SATISFACTORY
16 SERVICE ON AN ADMINISTRATIVE I CERTIFICATE AND SUCCESSFUL
17 COMPLETION OF THE INDUCTION PROGRAM DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (F).
18 (F) THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL DESIGN AND OFFER AN
19 INDUCTION PROGRAM AT NO COST TO THOSE PRINCIPALS, VICE
20 PRINCIPALS AND ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS WHO PARTICIPATE AND AT NO
21 COST TO THEIR EMPLOYER SCHOOL ENTITIES AND SHALL APPROVE OTHER
22 PROVIDERS TO OFFER INDUCTION PROGRAMS. ALL INDUCTION PROGRAMS
23 SHALL BE DESIGNED TO AID IN DEVELOPMENT IN THE CORE SCHOOL
24 LEADERSHIP STANDARDS IDENTIFIED IN SECTION 1217(A)(1).
25 PARTICIPANTS IN AN INDUCTION PROGRAM SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO
26 ATTEND MORE THAN THIRTY-SIX (36) HOURS OF INDUCTION DURING ANY
27 ONE SCHOOL YEAR OR A TOTAL OF ONE HUNDRED EIGHT (108) HOURS.
28 HOURS OF PARTICIPATION IN AN INDUCTION PROGRAM SHALL BE APPLIED
29 TOWARD MEETING THE CERTIFICATE HOLDER'S CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL
30 EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER SECTION 1205.2.
20070H0847B1443 - 5 -
1 SECTION 3. THE ACT IS AMENDED BY ADDING SECTIONS TO READ:
2 SECTION 1205.5. CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR
3 SCHOOL AND SYSTEM LEADERS.--(A) BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2008,
4 EVERY SCHOOL AND SYSTEM LEADER SHALL MEET THE CONTINUING
5 PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 1205.2 THROUGH
6 PARTICIPATION IN PROGRAMS APPROVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS
7 SECTION. FOR ANY CERTIFICATE HOLDER WHO SERVES IN BOTH
8 ADMINISTRATIVE AND NONADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS DURING A
9 COMPLIANCE PERIOD AS DEFINED IN SECTION 1205.2, THE CERTIFICATE
10 HOLDER'S CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT REQUIREMENTS SHALL BE
11 EARNED IN PROGRAMS APPROVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION IN
12 NO LESS THAN THE SAME PROPORTION AS THE PROPORTION OF THE
13 COMPLIANCE PERIOD DURING WHICH THE CERTIFICATE HOLDER SERVED ON
14 AN ADMINISTRATIVE CERTIFICATE OR LETTER OF ELIGIBILITY.
15 (B) FOR THE COMPLIANCE PERIOD IN EFFECT ON JANUARY 1, 2008,
16 THIS SECTION SHALL ONLY APPLY TO ANY CREDITS OR HOURS NEEDED TO
17 SATISFY THE UNMET REQUIREMENTS OF THE CURRENT COMPLIANCE PERIOD.
18 (C) THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL DESIGN AND OFFER
19 CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AT NO COST TO
20 SCHOOL AND SYSTEM LEADERS WHO ARE REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION TO
21 PARTICIPATE AND AT NO COST TO THEIR EMPLOYER SCHOOL ENTITIES. IN
22 THE EVENT THAT INDIVIDUALS ARE UNABLE TO ACCESS THESE PROGRAMS
23 BECAUSE ALL AVAILABLE SLOTS ARE FILLED, THE INDIVIDUAL MAY
24 REQUEST AND SHALL BE GRANTED UPON REVIEW BY THE DEPARTMENT AN
25 EXTENSION OF THE COMPLIANCE PERIOD.
26 (D) THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL APPROVE OTHER
27 PROVIDERS TO OFFER INDUCTION AND CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL
28 DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOL AND SYSTEM LEADERS AND SHALL
29 ANNUALLY PUBLISH A LIST OF APPROVED PROVIDERS.
30 (E) ALL PROGRAMS OFFERED OR APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
20070H0847B1443 - 6 -
1 EDUCATION UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL ADDRESS THE PENNSYLVANIA
2 SCHOOL LEADERSHIP STANDARDS PURSUANT TO SECTION 1217.
3 (F) THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION MAY ADOPT STANDARDS AS
4 NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THIS SECTION.
5 (G) FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS SECTION, SCHOOL AND SYSTEM
6 LEADERS SHALL INCLUDE ANY INDIVIDUAL SERVING ON A CERTIFICATE AS
7 A PRINCIPAL, VICE PRINCIPAL, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL,
8 SUPERINTENDENT, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, INTERMEDIATE UNIT
9 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ASSISTANT INTERMEDIATE UNIT EXECUTIVE
10 DIRECTOR OR DIRECTOR OF AN AREA VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL SCHOOL.
11 SECTION 1217. PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL LEADERSHIP STANDARDS.--(A)
12 PROGRAMS PROVIDED UNDER SECTION 1205.5(C) AND (D) TO PREPARE
13 SCHOOL AND SYSTEM LEADERS AND FOR PURPOSES OF ISSUING
14 ADMINISTRATOR CERTIFICATES OR LETTERS OF ELIGIBILITY AND
15 APPROVED PROGRAMS FOR THE INDUCTION AND CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL
16 DEVELOPMENT OF SCHOOL AND SYSTEM LEADERS SHALL ADDRESS:
17 (1) THE FOLLOWING CORE STANDARDS:
18 (I) THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO THINK AND PLAN STRATEGICALLY
19 CREATING AN ORGANIZATIONAL VISION AROUND PERSONALIZED STUDENT
20 SUCCESS.
21 (II) AN UNDERSTANDING OF STANDARDS-BASED SYSTEMS THEORY AND
22 DESIGN AND THE ABILITY TO TRANSFER THAT KNOWLEDGE TO THE
23 LEADER'S JOB AS THE ARCHITECT OF STANDARDS-BASED REFORM IN THE
24 SCHOOL.
25 (III) THE ABILITY TO ACCESS AND USE APPROPRIATE DATA TO
26 INFORM DECISION-MAKING AT ALL LEVELS OF THE SYSTEM.
27 (2) THE FOLLOWING COROLLARY STANDARDS:
28 (I) CREATING A CULTURE OF TEACHING AND LEARNING WITH AN
29 EMPHASIS ON LEARNING.
30 (II) MANAGING RESOURCES FOR EFFECTIVE RESULTS.
20070H0847B1443 - 7 -
1 (III) COLLABORATING, COMMUNICATING, ENGAGING AND EMPOWERING
2 OTHERS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE ORGANIZATION TO PURSUE
3 EXCELLENCE IN LEARNING.
4 (IV) OPERATING IN A FAIR AND EQUITABLE MANNER WITH PERSONAL
5 AND PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY.
6 (V) ADVOCATING FOR CHILDREN AND PUBLIC EDUCATION IN THE
7 LARGER POLITICAL, SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, LEGAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT.
8 (VI) SUPPORTING PROFESSIONAL GROWTH OF SELF AND OTHERS
9 THROUGH PRACTICE AND INQUIRY.
10 (B) THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MAY PROMULGATE REGULATIONS
11 TO CARRY OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.
12 (C) FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS SECTION, SCHOOL AND SYSTEM
13 LEADERS SHALL INCLUDE ANY INDIVIDUAL SERVING ON A CERTIFICATE AS
14 A PRINCIPAL, VICE PRINCIPAL, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL,
15 SUPERINTENDENT, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, INTERMEDIATE UNIT
16 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ASSISTANT INTERMEDIATE UNIT EXECUTIVE
17 DIRECTOR OR DIRECTOR OF AN AREA VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL SCHOOL.
18 Section 2 4. This act shall take effect July 1, 2007, or <--
19 immediately, whichever is later.
B2L24MSP/20070H0847B1443 - 8 -