PRINTER'S NO. 3509
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2493
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY MARCELL, FRIEL AND KHAN, JULY 11, 2024
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JULY 11, 2024
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in certification of teachers, further
providing for instructional certificate grade spans and age
levels and duties of department.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 1202.1 of the act of March 10, 1949
(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is
amended by adding a subsection to read:
Section 1202.1. Instructional Certificate Grade Spans and
Age Levels and Duties of Department.--* * *
(a.1) The following shall apply to instructional
certificates:
(1) Notwithstanding 22 Pa. Code § 49.85, the grade span and
age levels for instructional certificates issued after December
31, 2027, shall be:
(i) Early childhood - prekindergarten, kindergarten, grades
one through five or three (3) through ten (10) years of age.
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(ii) Elementary/Middle - grades four through eight or nine
(9) through fourteen (14) years of age. Elementary/Middle
certificates permit instruction in any subject in grades four,
five and six and in a core academic subject or subjects in
grades seven and eight.
(iii) Secondary - grades six through twelve or eleven (11)
through twenty-one (21) years of age.
(iv) Specialized areas - prekindergarten through grade
twelve or up through twenty-one (21) years of age.
(2) Certificates issued prior to the effective date of this
subsection in accordance with 22 Pa. Code § 49.85 shall remain
valid for the term of the certificate.
(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a teacher preparation
program of an institution of higher education may permit an
individual who is enrolled at the institution of higher
education or in an approved alternative preparation program
prior to December 31, 2025, and who remains continuously
enrolled in the program, to complete the program for the grade
level limitations provided under 22 Pa. Code § 49.85(b). The
department may issue the appropriate instructional certificate
to an applicant who completes the program and meets all other
certification requirements.
* * *
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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