HB 1265 — 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, further providing for instructional certificate grade spans and age levels and duties of department.

PRINTER'S NO.     1408

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 1265
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY ANDERSON, D'ORSIE, GLEIM, LEADBETER, BERNSTINE,
        SHAFFER, WATRO, K.HARRIS, STEHR, HAMM AND FINK,
        APRIL 17, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, APRIL 17, 2025


                                    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," in certification of teachers, further
 6      providing for instructional certificate grade spans and age
 7      levels and duties of department.
 8      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 9   hereby enacts as follows:
10      Section 1.    Section 1202.1 of the act of March 10, 1949
11   (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is
12   amended by adding a subsection to read:
13      Section 1202.1.    Instructional Certificate Grade Spans and
14   Age Levels and Duties of Department.--* * *
15      (a.1)   The following shall apply to instructional
16   certificates:
17      (1)   Notwithstanding 22 Pa. Code § 49.85 (relating to
18   limitations), the certificate designation, grade span and age
19   levels for instructional certificates issued after December 31,
20   2027, shall be as follows:
 1      (i)    Early Childhood. The certificate under this subparagraph
 2   shall be issued for prekindergarten, kindergarten and grades one
 3   through three or three (3) through eight (8) years of age.
 4      (ii)    Elementary/Middle. The certificate under this
 5   subparagraph shall be issued for kindergarten and grades one
 6   through eight or four (4) through fourteen (14) years of age,
 7   and permits instruction in any subject in grades one through six
 8   and in a core academic subject or subjects in grades seven and
 9   eight.
10      (iii)    Middle/Secondary. The certificate under this
11   subparagraph shall be issued for grades six through twelve or
12   eleven (11) through twenty-one (21) years of age, and permits
13   instruction in any subject in grade six and in a core academic
14   subject or subjects in grades seven through twelve.
15      (iv)    Specialized Areas. The certificate under this
16   subparagraph shall be issued for prekindergarten though grade
17   twelve or up through twenty-one (21) years of age.
18      (2)    Certificates issued in accordance with 22 Pa. Code §
19   49.85 shall remain valid for the term of the certificate.
20      (3)    Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a teacher preparation
21   program may permit an individual who is enrolled at the
22   institution of higher education or in an approved alternative
23   preparation program prior to December 31, 2025, and remains
24   continuously enrolled, to complete the program for the grade
25   level limitations provided under 22 Pa. Code § 49.85(b). The
26   department may issue the appropriate instructional certificate
27   to an applicant who completes the program and meets all other
28   certification requirements.
29      * * *
30      Section 2.    This act shall take effect immediately.

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