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
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 (relating to
limitations), the certificate designation, grade span and age
levels for instructional certificates issued after December 31,
2027, shall be as follows:
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(i) Early Childhood. The certificate under this subparagraph
shall be issued for prekindergarten, kindergarten and grades one
through three or three (3) through eight (8) years of age.
(ii) Elementary/Middle. The certificate under this
subparagraph shall be issued for kindergarten and grades one
through eight or four (4) through fourteen (14) years of age,
and permits instruction in any subject in grades one through six
and in a core academic subject or subjects in grades seven and
eight.
(iii) Middle/Secondary. The certificate under this
subparagraph shall be issued for grades six through twelve or
eleven (11) through twenty-one (21) years of age, and permits
instruction in any subject in grade six and in a core academic
subject or subjects in grades seven through twelve.
(iv) Specialized Areas. The certificate under this
subparagraph shall be issued for prekindergarten though grade
twelve or up through twenty-one (21) years of age.
(2) Certificates issued 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 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 remains
continuously enrolled, 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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