Pennsylvania SB 220: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in certification of teachers, providing for instructional certificate grade spans and age levels; and making an editorial change.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 169
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 220
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY PHILLIPS-HILL, BROWN, PENNYCUICK AND STEFANO,
FEBRUARY 3, 2025
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 3, 2025
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,
providing for instructional certificate grade spans and age
levels; and making an editorial change.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The heading of 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 to read:
Section 1202.1. [Instructional] Special Education
Certificate Grade Spans and Age Levels and Duties of
Department.--* * *
Section 2. The act is amended by adding a section to read:
Section 1202.2. Instructional Certificate Grade Spans and
Age Levels.--(a) Notwithstanding 22 Pa. Code § 49.85 (relating
to limitations), the grade spans and age levels for
instructional certificates issued after December 31, 2025 , shall
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be as follows:
(1) Early childhood - prekindergarten, kindergarten, grades
one through four or ages three (3) through nine (9).
(2) Elementary - kindergarten, grades one through six or
ages four (4) through eleven (11).
(3) Middle - grades six through nine or ages eleven (11)
through fifteen (15).
(4) Secondary - grades seven through twelve or ages eleven
(11) through twenty-one (21).
(5) Specialized areas - prekindergarten through grade twelve
or up to age twenty-one (21).
(b) Certificates issued in accordance with 22 Pa. Code §
49.85(a) and (b) shall remain valid for the term of the
certificate.
(c) An individual holding Elementary/Middle Certificates
issued in accordance with 22 Pa. Code § 49.85(b)(2) shall have
the opportunity to expand the scope of the individual's
certificate to meet the grade levels covered under subsection
(a)(2) and (3) by a process determined by the Department of
Education, which shall include, but not be limited to,
continuing education credits or the satisfactory outcome of a
PRAXIS assessment for the specific certification level.
Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
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