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.

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
 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,
 6      providing for instructional certificate grade spans and age
 7      levels; and making an editorial change.
 8      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 9   hereby enacts as follows:
10      Section 1.    The heading of section 1202.1 of the act of March
11   10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of
12   1949, is amended to read:
13      Section 1202.1.    [Instructional] Special Education
14   Certificate Grade Spans and Age Levels and Duties of
15   Department.--* * *
16      Section 2.    The act is amended by adding a section to read:
17      Section 1202.2.    Instructional Certificate Grade Spans and
18   Age Levels.--(a)    Notwithstanding 22 Pa. Code § 49.85 (relating
19   to limitations), the grade spans and age levels for
20   instructional certificates issued after December 31, 2025, shall
 1   be as follows:
 2      (1)   Early childhood - prekindergarten, kindergarten, grades
 3   one through four or ages three (3) through nine (9).
 4      (2)   Elementary - kindergarten, grades one through six or
 5   ages four (4) through eleven (11).
 6      (3)   Middle - grades six through nine or ages eleven (11)
 7   through fifteen (15).
 8      (4)   Secondary - grades seven through twelve or ages eleven
 9   (11) through twenty-one (21).
10      (5)   Specialized areas - prekindergarten through grade twelve
11   or up to age twenty-one (21).
12      (b)   Certificates issued in accordance with 22 Pa. Code §
13   49.85(a) and (b) shall remain valid for the term of the
14   certificate.
15      (c)   An individual holding Elementary/Middle Certificates
16   issued in accordance with 22 Pa. Code § 49.85(b)(2) shall have
17   the opportunity to expand the scope of the individual's
18   certificate to meet the grade levels covered under subsection
19   (a)(2) and (3) by a process determined by the Department of
20   Education, which shall include, but not be limited to,
21   continuing education credits or the satisfactory outcome of a
22   PRAXIS assessment for the specific certification level.
23      Section 3.    This act shall take effect immediately.




20250SB0220PN0169                    - 2 -