AN ACT

 

1Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
2act relating to the public school system, including certain
3provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
4schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
5laws relating thereto," in certification of teachers,
6providing for minimum educational requirements; further
7providing for postbaccalaureate certification; providing for
8baccalaureate certification basic skills assessment; and
9further providing for disqualifications.

10The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
11hereby enacts as follows:

12Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
13as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
14section to read:

15Section 1203.1. Minimum Educational Requirements.--Every
16person certified to teach in the schools of this Commonwealth
17shall possess a baccalaureate degree or higher graduate degree
18as a general education requirement.

19Section 2. Section 1207.1 of the act of March 10, 1949
20(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, added
21June 30, 2011 (P.L.112, No.24), is amended to read:

1Section 1207.1. Postbaccalaureate Certification.--* * *

2(a.1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
3Department of Education may approve applicants for certification
4who complete an out-of-State postbaccalaureate certificate
5program that is comparable to postbaccalaureate certification
6programs developed under this section. Nothing under this
7subsection shall be construed to waive any other certification
8requirements applicable to out-of-State applicants.

9* * *

10Section 3. The act is amended by adding a section to read:

11Section 1207.2 Baccalaureate Certification Basic Skills

12Assessment.--(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
13the assessment of basic skills required under 22 Pa. Code § 
1449.18 (relating to assessment) shall be completed and a 
15satisfactory achievement level shall be obtained prior to entry 
16into a Pennsylvania baccalaureate teacher preparation program. 

17(b) An assessment of basic skills shall not be required for 
18entry into a Pennsylvania postbaccalaureate teacher preparation 
19program or for any applicant for certification who completes a 
20postbaccalaureate certification program or holds a 
21postbaccalaureate degree. 

22(c) No baccalaureate certification program shall admit a
23student who has not met the requirements of this section by
24August 1, 2014.

25Section 4. Section 1209 of the act, amended November 23,
262010 (P.L.1350, No.123), is amended to read:

27Section 1209. Disqualifications.--No teacher's certificate
28shall be granted to any person who:

29[(1) Has not submitted, upon a blank furnished by the
30Secretary of Education, a certificate from a physician,
 

1certified registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant 
2licensed or certified in this Commonwealth, or in any other
3state or the District of Columbia, setting forth that the
4applicant is not disqualified by reason of a mental or physical 
5disability or a communicable disease from the successful
6performance of the essential functions of a teacher with or 
7without a reasonable accommodation.]

8(2) Does not have a good moral character.

9(3) Engages in the illegal use of controlled substances or
10alcoholic beverages. An applicant for certification may overcome
11the disqualification under this paragraph and receive a teaching
12certificate if the applicant is reviewed by the Department of
13Education pursuant to the requirement of paragraph (2) and
14determined to be of good moral character.

15Section 5. The provisions of 22 Pa. Code § 49.12(2) are
16abrogated.

17Section 6. This act shall take effect immediately.