Bill Text: PA SB834 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Providing for standards for programs leading to teacher certification.

Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Republican 10-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-05-01 - Referred to EDUCATION [SB834 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-SB834-Introduced.html

---

PRINTER'S NO. 969
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 834 Session of2009
INTRODUCED BY PICCOLA, DINNIMAN, ROBBINS, RAFFERTY, WAUGH, VANCE, BAKER, ALLOWAY, VOGEL AND EARLL, MAY 1, 2009
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, MAY 1, 2009
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," providing for standards for programs
leading to teacher certification.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
section to read:
Section 1203.1. Standards for Programs Leading to Teacher
Certification.--(a) The Department of Education shall evaluate
and approve teacher education programs leading to the
certification and permitting of professional personnel. The
evaluation by the department shall provide assurance that, on or
before January 1, 2011, teacher education programs require at
least nine credits or two hundred seventy (270) hours, or an
equivalent combination thereof, regarding accommodations and
adaptations for students with disabilities in an inclusive
setting. Within the content of these nine credits or two hundred
seventy (270) hours, instruction in literacy skills development
and cognitive skill development for students with disabilities
must be included, as determined by the institution. At least
three credits or ninety (90) additional hours, or an equivalent
combination thereof, must address the instructional needs of
English language learners. For purposes of this requirement, one
credit equals thirty (30) hours of coursework. Applicable hours
are limited to a combination of seat hours of classroom
instruction, field observation experiences, major research
assignments and development and implementation of lesson plans
with accommodations and adaptations for diverse learners in an
inclusive setting.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (a), the
Department of Education is prohibited from:
(1) Requiring a specific number of credits for approval of a
teacher education program.
(2) Incorporating any formula, scoring system or numerical
method in the approval of a teacher education program.
(3) Expending funds or allowing any other action in
furtherance of the purposes of clause (1) or (2).
(c) The following principles shall be considered in any
teacher education program review:
(1) The preparation program design shall be consistent with
the preparing institution's mission and reflect knowledge
derived from research and sound professional practice.
(2) The preparing institution shall ensure that the
preparation program curriculum does not include unnecessary
duplication of coursework and strives to create efficient
professional educator preparation.
20090SB0834PN0969 - 2 -
(3) The preparing institution shall ensure that candidates
complete a well-planned sequence of professional educator
courses and field experiences to develop an understanding of the
structure, skills, core concepts, facts, methods of inquiry and
application of technology related to each academic discipline
the candidates plan to teach or in the academic disciplines
related to the noninstructional certificate categories in which
they plan to serve.
(4) For initial programs culminating in a bachelor's degree,
the professional educator program shall cooperate with the
liberal arts and other academic disciplines of the college or
university to create preparation programs that allow candidates
to complete the degree and the initial preparation program
within four years from the time of initial enrollment at the
college or university.
(5) For initial programs culminating in an advanced degree,
the professional educator program shall cooperate with the
liberal arts and other academic disciplines of the college or
university to create preparation programs that allow candidates
to complete the advanced degree and the initial preparation
program within five years from the time of initial enrollment at
the college or university.
(d) The Department of Education shall provide to the
Education Committee of the Senate and the Education Committee of
the House of Representatives any guidelines it issues that
relate to the evaluation and approval of teacher education
programs.
(e) The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee shall
conduct a study of Pennsylvania’s system of teacher
certification examinations to assure their effectiveness and
20090SB0834PN0969 - 3 -
shall report its findings and recommendations to the General
Assembly by December 31, 2009.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20090SB0834PN0969 - 4 -