Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 97-629a

[27 Pa.B. 2011]

[Continued from previous Web Page]

§ 49.64e.  Mandatory reports from schools.

   The board of school directors of the employing school district or the board of directors of each employing intermediate unit or area vocational technical school, or the appropriate governing body of the employing nonpublic school shall report to the Secretary within [ten] 10 days of dismissal the name of any person who has been dismissed and the cause for [such] the dismissal and the name of any individual who is charged or convicted of a crime of moral turpitude.

§ 49.65.  Out-of-state and Nationally-certified applicants.

   (a)  The Department will issue the appropriate Commonwealth certificate to applicants who have:

   (1)  Graduated from a State approved out-of-[state] State college or university whose teacher education requirements are [equivalent] comparable to those of this Commonwealth.

*      *      *      *      *

   (4)  Presented evidence of satisfactory achievement in assessments prescribed by the Department under § 49.18(a) (relating to assessment).

   (b)  [If evaluation by the Department reveals minor deficiencies in the preparation program of the applicant, the Department will prescribe the additional educational requirements to be met in securing Commonwealth certification.] The Department may enter into a reciprocal certification agreement with the appropriate authority of another state to recognize comparable certificates.

   (c)  Candidates certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards will be granted the highest level certificate applicable.

§ 49.67.  [Master's degree equivalency certificates] (Reserved).

   [A Master's degree equivalency certificate shall be issued for salary purposes only, subject to the following terms and conditions:

   (1)  The certificate is issued to persons holding a valid Instructional I, Instructional II, Educational Specialist I, Educational Specialist II certificate or their equivalents, upon the accumulation of 36 hours of graduate level credit. A minimum of 18 academic graduate credits must be earned in the content area of the applicant's primary teaching assignment at a college or university approved to offer graduate work. A maximum of 18 of the credit requirement may be satisfied through inservice programs approved by the Secretary of Education for meeting master's equivalency requirements.

   (2)  The certificate is also issued to holders of Vocational Instructional I, Vocational Instructional II or their equivalents upon the accumulation of 90 college credits. A minimum of 18 credit hours of the final 30 shall be earned at a State-approved baccalaureate degree granting institution. The remaining 12 may be satisfied, in full or in part, through inservice programs approved by the Secretary of Education for meeting master's equivalency requirements.

   (3)  A grade of ''C'' or better is required in college and university courses in which grades are given and a letter of satisfactory completion is required for all inservice courses used toward the attainment of the certificate.

   (4)  This regulation becomes effective July 1, 1974, except that persons with an Instructional I, Instructional II, Educational Specialist I, Educational Specialist II or their equivalents applying for a Master's Degree Equivalency Certificate before September 1, 1975, need have only 12 academic graduate credits earned in the content area of the applicant's primary teaching assignment.]

§ 49.68.  Evaluation of prescribed requirements and standards.

   Institutions of higher education within this Commonwealth with approved teacher education programs are authorized to evaluate, equate and accredit educational experience and background of candidates for meeting the specific requirements for certification. A candidate may not be recommended for certification until [the candidate passes] providing evidence of satisfactory achievement in the [tests] assessments under § 49.18 (relating to [testing] assessment).

Subchapter B.  CERTIFICATION OF GRADUATES FROM COMMONWEALTH INSTITUTIONS

GENERAL PROVISIONS

§ 49.71.  Basic requirements.

   Applicants for a certificate shall have completed, in addition to all legal requirements, a program of teacher education approved by the Department or its equivalent and, when applicable shall have the recommendation of the preparing institution.

§ 49.72.  Categories of certificates and letters of eligibility.

   (a)  The following basic categories of certificates and letters of eligibility will be issued by the Department:

   (1)  [Letters of] Temporary [Certification] Permit.

   (2)  Emergency [Certificates] Permit.

*      *      *      *      *

   (6)  Supervisory [Certificates] Certificate.

   (7)  Administrative [Certificates] Certificate.

   (8)  [School] Program Specialist [Certificates] Certificate.

*      *      *      *      *

   [(11)  Intermediate Unit Program Specialist Certificates.]

*      *      *      *      *

INSTRUCTIONAL CERTIFICATES

§ 49.81.  General.

   (a)  The Department will issue instructional certificates to persons whose primary responsibility is teaching. Candidates for instructional certificates shall be able to help students achieve under Chapter 5 (relating to curriculum).

   (b)  Instructional certificates will be issued to candidates who meet Department prescribed standards based on the following principles:

   (1)  The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline the teacher teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for all students.

   (2)  The teacher understands how all children learn and develop, and can provide learning oppor tunities that support their intellectual, social, career and personal development.

   (3)  The teacher understands how students differ in their ability and approaches to learning and creates opportunities that foster achievement of diverse learners in the inclusive classroom.

   (4)  The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies, including interdis- ciplinary learning experiences, to encourage students' development of critical thinking, problem solving and performance skills.

   (5)  The teacher uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning and self-motivation.

   (6)  The teacher uses knowledge of effective ver- bal, nonverbal and media communication tech- niques supported by appropriate technology to foster active inquiry, collaboration and supportive interaction in the classroom.

   (7)  The teacher plans instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter, students, the community and curriculum goals.

   (8)  The teacher understands and uses formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social and physical development of the learner.

   (9)  The teacher is a reflective practitioner who thinks systematically about practice, learns from experience, seeks the advice of others, draws upon educational research and scholarship and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally.

   (10)  The teacher contributes to school effective- ness by collaborating with other professionals and parents, by using community resources and by working as an advocate for change to improve opportunities for student learning.

§ 49.82.  Instructional I.

   (a)  The Instructional I Certificate shall be valid for 6 years of teaching in the area for which it [is endorsed] applies. It may be converted to an Instructional II Certificate as provided by § 49.83 (relating to Instructional II).

   (b) The Instructional I Certificate will be issued to applicants who:

*      *      *      *      *

   (2)  [Successfully complete] Present evidence of successful completion of a Department-approved teacher [certification] preparation program or its equivalent.

   (3)  Present evidence of [having passed the] satisfactory achievement in assessments prescribed by the Department[-prescribed tests] under § 49.18(a) (relating to [testing] assessment).

   (4)  Receive recommendation for certification from a college or university if completing a Department-approved teacher preparation program.

§ 49.83.  Instructional II.

   The Instructional II Certificate shall be a [permanent] renewable certificate as defined in § 49.17(c) (relating to professional development) issued to an applicant who has completed:

*      *      *      *      *

   (3)  Twenty-four credit hours of collegiate study or its equivalent in inservice courses approved by the Depart- ment or Department approved professional development activities or [both] a combination thereof.

   (4)  Present evidence of satisfactory achievement in assessments prescribed by the Department under § 49.18(a) (relating to assessment).

§ 49.84.  [Collegiate credit acceptable for renewal or conversion of the Instructional I Certificate] (Reserved).

   [(a)  College credit acceptable for renewal of the Instructional I Certificate and conversion to the Instructional II Certificate shall be earned at a State approved baccalaureate degree granting institution.

   (b)  Credits earned in programs designed to prepare for professional fields such as law, medicine or theology, when relevant to the area of certification, will be considered acceptable for purposes of renewing or converting the Instructional I Certif- icate.

   (c)  Credits must be earned subsequent to the conferring of the baccalaureate degree.]

§ 49.85.  Limitations.

   (a)  The grade level limitations of instructional certificates shall be the following:

   (1)  Early childhood (nursery, kindergarten, grades one to three or ages 3 to 8).

   (2)  Elementary (kindergarten, grades one to six or ages 3 to 11).

   (3)  [Secondary (grades seven to 12)] Middle level (grades six to nine or ages 11 to 14).

   (4)  [Specialized areas (kindergarten to grade 12)] Secondary (grades seven to 12 or ages 11 to 21).

   (5)  Specialized areas (kindergarten to grade 12 or up to age 21).

   (b) The decision about staffing based on age or grade level rests with the school entity.

INTERN CERTIFICATES

§ 49.91.  Criteria for eligibility.

   (a)  The Department may make a one-time issuance of an Intern Certificate for service in approved elementary, middle and secondary schools to applicants who, in addition to meeting the requirements of § 49.12 (relating to eligibility), present evidence of [having passed the] satisfactory achievement on Department-prescribed assessments of basic skills, general knowledge and subject matter tests; are enrolled in and have completed appropriate professional education courses in an approved intern program, which may include an induction; and are recommended for certificates by the institution holding approval.

   (b)  The applicant will be issued an Instructional I Certificate upon completion of the approved intern program and [the passing] satisfactory achievement on the assessment of [the] professional knowledge [test] and practice.

EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST CERTIFICATES

§ 49.101.  General.

   The Department will issue educational specialist certificates to persons whose primary responsibility shall be to render professional service other than classroom teaching. The service shall be directly related to the personal welfare of the learner and may include service for the needs of other professional personnel working with learners. Candidates for educational specialist certificates shall be able to help students achieve under Chapter 5 (relating to curriculum). Educational specialist certificates will be issued to candidates who meet Department prescribed standards based on the following principles:

   (1)  The educational specialist understands the central concepts, structures and delivery styles of the professional area in which the educational specialist practices and can foster learning experiences for all students.

   (2)  The educational specialist understands how all children learn and develop, and can contribute to the provision of learning opportunities that sup- port their intellectual, social, career and personal development.

   (3)  The educational specialist understands how students differ in their ability and approaches to learning and creates opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.

   (4)  The educational specialist understands and uses a variety of professional strategies to encourage students' development of critical thinking, problem solving and performance skills.

   (5)  The educational specialist uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning and self-motivation.

   (6)  The educational specialist uses knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal and media commu- nication techniques supported by appropriate technology to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in and out of the classroom.

   (7)  The educational specialist plans professional services based upon knowledge of professional field, students, the community and curriculum goals.

   (8)  The educational specialist understands and uses formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social and physical development of the learner.

   (9)  The educational specialist is a reflective practitioner who thinks systematically about practice, learns from experience, seeks the advice of others, draws upon educational research and scholarship and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally.

   (10)  The educational specialist contributes to school effectiveness by collaborating with other educators and parents, by using community resources, and by working as an advocate for change to improve opportunities for student learning.

§ 49.102.  Educational Specialist I.

   (a)  ***

   (b)  The Educational Specialist I Certificate will be issued to applicants who:

   (1)  Present evidence of successful completion of a Department-approved educational specialist preparation program or its equivalent.

   (2)  Present evidence of satisfactory achievement in assessments prescribed by the Department under § 49.18(a) (relating to assessment).

   (3)  Receive recommendation for certification from a college or university if completing a Department-approved educational specialist preparation program.

§ 49.103.  Educational Specialist II.

   [(a)  The Educational Specialist II Certificate shall be a permanent certificate issued to an applicant who shall have completed 3 years of satisfactory service on a Level I Educational Specialist Certificate attested to by the chief school administrator of the approved public or nonpublic school entity in which the most recent service of the applicant was performed. In addition, the applicant shall have completed 24 semester credit hours of collegiate study as described in § 49.104 (relating to college credit acceptable for renewal or conversion of Educational Specialist I Certificate).

   (b) The 24 semester credit hour requirement may be satisfied, in whole or in part, through inservice programs approved by the Department.]

   The Educational Specialist II Certificate shall be a renewable certificate as defined in § 49.17(c) (relating to continuing professional development) issued to applicants who:

   (1)  Have completed a Department-approved induction program.

   (2)  Have completed 3 years of satisfactory teaching on an Educational Specialist I Certificate attested to by the chief school administrator of the approved public or nonpublic school entity in which the most recent service of the applicant was performed.

   (3)  Have completed 24 credit hours of collegiate study or its equivalent in inservice courses approved by the Department or Department-approved professional development activities or a combination thereof.

   (4)  Present evidence of satisfactory achievement in assessments prescribed by the Department under § 49.18(a) (relating to assessment).

§ 49.104.  [College credit acceptable for renewal or conversion of Educational Specialist I Certificate] (Reserved).

   [(a)  College credit acceptable for renewal of the Educational Specialist I Certificate and conversion to the Educational Specialist II must be earned at a State approved baccalaureate degree granting institution.

   (b)  Credits earned in programs designed to prepare for professional fields such as law, medicine, or theology, unless relevant to the area of certification, will not be considered acceptable for purposes of renewing or converting the Educational Specialist I Certificate.

   (c)  Credit shall be earned subsequent to the conferring of the baccalaureate degree.]

§ 49.105.  Limitations.

   The grade level limitations of educational specialist certificates shall be specified in the standards stated for the respective preparation programs of certification.

SUPERVISORY CERTIFICATES

§ 49.111.  Supervisory [I] Certificate.

   (a)  The Department will issue Supervisory [I] Certificates for positions in the schools of [the] this Commonwealth to persons who:

*      *      *      *      *

   (2)  Have completed an approved graduate program preparing the applicant for the responsibilities of supervising in the [specified single] program area and of directing the activities of certificated professional employes.

   (3)  Present evidence of satisfactory achievement in assessments prescribed by the Department under § 49.18(a)(relating to assessment).

   (4)  Are able to help students achieve under Chapter 5 (relating to curriculum requirements).

   (5)  Meet Department prescribed standards following these principles:

   (i)  The supervisor understands the central concepts of organizational leadership, tools of research and inquiry and principles of teaching and learning that make supervision effective and efficient.

   (ii)  The supervisor understands how children learn and develop and configures resources to support the intellectual, social and personal growth of students.

   (iii)  The supervisor knows and understands effective instructional strategies and encourages and facilitates employment of them by teachers.

   (iv)  The supervisor uses an understanding of individual and group motivation to create a professional development environment that engages teachers to develop and apply effective instructional techniques for all students.

   (v)  The supervisor is an effective communicator with various school communities.

   (vi)  The supervisor organizes resources and manages programs.

   (vii)  The supervisor understands and uses formative and summative assessment strategies to gauge effectiveness of people and programs on student learning.

   (viii)  The supervisor is a reflective practitioner who thinks systematically about practice, learns from experience, seeks the advice of others, draws upon educational research and scholarship and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally.

   (ix)  The supervisor contributes to school effectiveness by collaborating with other professionals and parents, by using community resources and by working as an advocate for change to improve opportunities for student learning.

   (b)  A Supervisory [I] Certificate for either Curriculum and Instruction or Pupil Personnel Services [, valid for 3 years of provisional service in the specified area,] shall be issued to persons who:

*      *      *      *      *

   (3)  Present evidence of satisfactory achievement in assessments prescribed by the Department under § 49.18(a).

§ 49.112.  Renewal of Supervisory [II] Certificate.

   Persons who obtain a Supervisory [II Certificates] Certificate after ____ (Editor's Notes: The blank refers to the effective date of adoption of this proposal.) shall [be permanent certificates issued to applicants who shall have completed 3 years of satisfactory supervisory experience on a Supervisory I Certificate attested to by the chief school administrator of the approved public or nonpublic school entity in which the most recent service was performed] thereafter, present to the Secretary evidence of satisfactory participation in continuing professional development as defined in § 49.17(c) (relating to continuing professional development).

ADMINISTRATIVE CERTIFICATES

§ 49.121.  Administrative [I] Certificate.

   (a)  The Department will issue Administrative [I] Certificates to persons who have had a minimum of 5 years of professional school experience, and have completed an approved program of graduate study preparing [him] the applicant to direct, operate, supervise and administer the organizational and general educational activities of a school [Applicants shall be recommended by the preparing institution in which the graduate program was completed], or a similar combination of experience and education.

*      *      *      *      *

   (c)  The Department will issue Administrative Certificates to persons who present evidence of satisfactory achievement on assessments prescribed by the Department under § 49.18(a)(relating to assessment).

   (d)  The Department will issue Administrative Certificates to persons who meet Department prescribed standards following these principles:

   (1)  The administrator demonstrates instructional leadership which provides purpose and direction for the achievement of all students.

   (2)  The administrator possesses the organizational skills to implement plans of action efficiently and effectively for student achievement.

   (3)  The administrator, in collaboration with students, faculty, staff and parents, creates a school climate that fosters student achievement.

   (4)  The administrator gathers information from, and communicates effectively to students, faculty, parents, staff and the community to facilitate student achievement.

   (5)  The administrator understands the importance of a clear, detailed vision and an explicitly stated philosophy in shaping a coherent curriculum and in fostering an effective school.

   (6)  The administrator makes systematic use of data to assess the needs and accomplishments of students, faculty and staff.

   (7)  The administrator is a reflective practitioner who thinks systematically about practice, learns from experience, seeks the advice of others, draws upon educational research and scholarship, and actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally.

§ 49.122.  Renewal of Administrative [II] Certificate.

   Persons who obtain an Administrative [II Certificates] Certificate after ____ (Editor's Note: The blank refers to the effective date of adoption of this proposal) shall [be permanent certificates issued to applicants who have completed 3 years of satisfactory administrative experience on an Administrative I Certificate attested to by the chief school administrator of the approved public or nonpublic school entity in which the most recent service was performed], thereafter, present to the Secretary evidence of satisfactory participation in continuing professional development as defined in § 49.17(c) (relating to professional development).

Subchapter C. VOCATIONAL EDUCATION CERTIFICATION

GENERAL PROVISIONS

§ 49.131.  Basic requirements for baccalaureate and nonbaccalaureate programs.

   (a)  Applicants for a certificate [must] shall have completed, in addition to all legal requirements, a program of teacher education approved by the Department or its equivalent and shall have received the recommendation of the preparing institutions, if applicable.

*      *      *      *      *

   (c)  Applicants [must] shall present evidence of [obtaining passing scores on tests] satisfactory achievement on assessments required in § 49.18 (relating to [testing] assessment).

*      *      *      *      *

§ 49.132.  Types of certificates.

   Four basic types of certificates shall be issued, as follows:

*      *      *      *      *

   [(3)  Supervisor of Vocational Education.

   (4)] (3)  ***

§ 49.133.  Levels of certification.

   Vocational Instructional Certificates [, Supervisor of Vocational Education Certificates and Vocational Administrative Director Certificates] shall be issued for the following levels of qualifications:

*      *      *      *      *

   (2)  Level II ([Permanent] Renewable).

VOCATIONAL INSTRUCTIONAL CERTIFICATES

§ 49.141.  General.

*      *      *      *      *

   (b)  The holder of a vocational teaching certificate may also teach the technical skills and [knowledges] knowledge of [his] the holder's occupation in courses of comparable content provided in secondary school programs which have not been accorded State approval as vocational education programs under conditions [set forth in] the policies and standards of the Department. Candidates for vocational instructional certificates shall be able to help students achieve under Chapter 5 (relating to curriculum).

§ 49.142.  Vocational Instructional I.

   (a)  A single certificate will be issued and titled, ''Vocational Instructional Certificate.'' Individuals qualifying for this certificate shall be authorized to teach in the areas for which they also hold an occupational competency credential. The occupational competency credential will be issued by the Department or an institution of higher education approved by the Secretary. The applicant [must] shall have:

*      *      *      *      *

   (2)  Successfully completed the occupational competency examination or evaluation of credentials for occupations where examinations do not exist or [passed a test] present evidence of satisfactory achievement on an assessment of subject matter under § 49.18 (relating to [testing] assessment).

   (3)  Completed 18 credit hours in an approved program of vocational teacher education or its equivalent.

   (4)  Presented evidence of [having passed] satisfactory achievement on the [test] assessment of basic skills under § 49.18.

   (b)  The Vocational Instructional I Certificate shall be valid for [7] 6 years, during which time the applicant [must] shall complete the approved preparation program leading to the Vocational Instructional II Certificate.

§ 49.143.  Vocational Instructional II.

   The Vocational Instructional II Certificate shall be a [permanent] renewable certificate as defined in § 49.17(c) (relating to professional development) issued to an applicant who has:

*      *      *      *      *

   (2)  Completed 60 credit hours in an approved program in the appropriate field of vocational education or its equivalent.

   (3)  Presented evidence of [having passed the test] satisfactory achievement in assessments of general knowledge and [the test] of professional knowledge and practice under § 49.18 (relating to [testing] assessment).

*      *      *      *      *

VOCATIONAL INTERN CERTIFICATES

§ 49.151.  Eligibility and criteria.

   (a)  The Department will issue Vocational Intern Certificates for teaching in State approved programs of vocational education in the public schools of this Commonwealth to applicants who have:

*      *      *      *      *

   (2)  Provided evidence of [passing the test] satisfactory achievement in assessments of subject matter under § 49.18 (relating to [testing] assessment) or satisfactory occupational competency by one of the following:

*      *      *      *      *

   (b)  The applicant shall be issued a Vocational Instructional I Certificate upon presenting evidence of 2 years wage-earning experience, completion of an approved intern program and [passing] satisfactory achievement on the [test] assessment of basic skills.

§ 49.153.  Vocational emergency [certificate] permit.

   (a)  The chief school administrator having jurisdiction over an approved Vocational Education program shall be authorized to issue a special emergency [certificate] permit on a day-to-day basis to an occupational practitioner when no properly certificated teachers are available. The teacher shall function under the supervision of a properly certificated [vocational] supervisor or administrator. Assignments as described in this section shall be made only in case of an extreme emergency and may not exceed 15-consecutive school days. This [certificate] permit shall be valid for 15 days of substitute service and may be renewed for an additional 15 school days upon the approval of the Secretary.

   (b)  This [certificate] permit does not qualify the holder to serve as a regularly elected teacher to fill a vacant position or as a long-term substitute. The positions [must] shall be filled by a person holding a valid Vocational Instructional or a State issued Emergency [Certificate] Permit. Reference should be made to § 49.32 (relating to emergency cases).

[SUPERVISOR OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION CERTIFICATE]

§ 49.161.  [Supervisor of Vocational Education I] (Reserved).

   [The Department will issue a Supervisor of Vocational Education Certificate to a person who shall have a minimum of three years satisfactory certificated vocational teaching experience and whose primary assignment will be either or both of the following:

   (1)  Instructional supervision in the fields of vocational education, vocational agriculture, vocational business, distributive education, health occupations, vocational home economics, and vocational industrial or trade and industrial, in area vocational technical schools and corresponding vocational courses in the public secondary schools of the Commonwealth.

   (2)  Directing the activities of professional staff teaching in the program areas specified in paragraph (1).]

§ 49.162.  [Supervisor of Vocational Education II] (Reserved).

   [The Supervisor of Vocational Education II Certificate shall be a permanent certificate issued to a person who:

   (1)  Has three years of satisfactory service on a Supervisor of Vocational Education I Certificate.

   (2)  Has completed a preparation program and has accumulated three years of satisfactory service on a formerly issued Pennsylvania Supervisory Certificate issued for a single field of vocational education or on a formerly issued Pennsylvania Coordinator of Trade and Industrial or Vocational Education Certificate.]

VOCATIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR CERTIFICATE

§ 49.163.  Vocational Administrative Director [I].

   [(a)  Vocational Administrative Director I Certificate shall be valid for six years of service as a Director of Vocational Education. It may be converted to a Vocational Administrative Director II Certificate after three years of satisfactory service as provided in § 49.164 (relating to Vocational Administrative Director II).

   (b)]  The Department will issue the Vocational Administrative Director [I] Certificate to persons who:

   (1)  Have a minimum of [five] 5 years successful teaching in vocational education.

   (2)  Have completed an approved program of graduate study of a comprehensive scope preparing them to direct, operate, supervise[,] and administer the organizational and educational activities of a vocational technical school or department or its equivalent; applicants who graduate from approved programs shall be recommended by the preparing institution in which the graduate program was completed.

   (3)  Present evidence of satisfactory achievement on assessments prescribed by the Department under § 49.18(a) (relating to assessment).

§ 49.163a.  Vocational Administrator Director Professional Development.

   Persons who obtain a Vocational Administrator Certificate after ____ (Editor's Note: The blank refers to the effective date of adoption of this proposal.) shall thereafter present to the Secretary evidence of satisfactory participation in continuing professional development every 5 years as provided in § 49.17 (relating to continuing professional development).

§ 49.164. [Vocational Administrative Director II] (Reserved).

   [A permanent certificate shall be issued to applicants who have satisfactorily completed three years of administrative experience on a Vocational Administrative Director I Certificate attested to by the chief school administrator of the approved public or nonpublic school entity in which the most recent service was performed.]

Subchapter D. OUT-OF-STATE APPLICANTS

§ 49.171.  General requirements.

*      *      *      *      *

   (c)  [Also, the] The Department may issue the comparable Pennsylvania [Level I] Certificate to an applicant who, lacking institutional recommendation:

   (1)  Has been legally certificated by another state at a level comparable to the [Level I] Pennsylvania certificate sought.

*      *      *      *      *

§ 49.172.  Letter of eligibility.

   (a)  The Department will issue the appropriate letter of eligibility for consideration for appointment as a district superintendent or an assistant district superintendent to an applicant who shall

   (1)  [Either:

   (i)] Have completed a Pennsylvania approved graduate level program of educational administrative study [minimally approximating two full academic years] for the preparation of chief school administrators[;], or its equivalent

   [(ii)  Have been prepared through an out-of-State graduate level program equivalent to those approved in this Commonwealth.]

   (2)  Have received the recommendation of the preparing institution for certification as a chief school, district level, administrator [or assistant chief school, district level, administrator], if applicable.

*      *      *      *      *

   (b)  Department evaluation will comply with the following:

   (1)  [For persons prepared at colleges and universities, the] The adequacy of preparation will be determined by the Department.

   (2)  The qualifying educational service to meet experience requirements out-of-[state] State will be determined for all applicants by the Department.

*      *      *      *      *

   (c)  A commission shall be issued to a person holding [an appropriate] a letter of eligibility upon election as a district superintendent or assistant district superintendent by the respective local board of school directors.

   (d)  The Department may issue the appropriate letter of eligibility for consideration for appointment as a district-level administrator to an applicant who presents equivalent education and experience to that in subsection (a).

Subchapter E. COMMISSIONS AND CERTIFICATES FOR INTERMEDIATE UNITS

§ 49.182.  Letter of eligibility [-- executive director].

   (a)  A letter of eligibility to serve as an intermediate unit executive director or assistant executive director will be issued in lieu of a certificate by the Department to a candidate who has obtained or achieved:

   (1)  An earned doctorate or a master's degree plus 40 hours of graduate study successfully completed at a State approved college or university or its equivalent.

   (2)  Who has had [six] 6 years of experience in education work at the elementary, secondary, county office, intermediate unit, [state] State department of education, or State approved college or university level. In [three] 3 of these [six] 6 years the applicant shall have served successfully in a management or supervisory capacity.

   (b)  The appropriateness of this experience and [his] the candidate's academic preparation will be determined by the Department.

   (c)  A commission will be issued to a person holding an appropriate letter of eligibility upon [his] the candidate's election as the executive director or assistant executive director of an intermediate unit by its respective board of directors.

§ 49.183. [Letter of eligibility--assistant executive director] (Reserved).

   [(a)  A letter of eligibility to serve as an intermediate unit assistant executive director will be issued in lieu of a certificate by the Department to a candidate who has obtained or achieved:

   (1)  An earned doctorate or a master's degree plus 40 hours of graduate study successfully completed at a State approved college or university.

   (2)  Who has had six years of experience in education work at the elementary, secondary, county office, intermediate unit, state department of education, or State approved college or university level.

   (b)  The appropriateness of the applicant's experience and academic preparation will be determined by the Department.

   (c) A commission will be issued to a person holding an appropriate letter of eligibility upon his election as an assistant executive director of an intermediate unit by its respective board of directors.]

§ 49.184.  [Intermediate Unit Program Specialist Certificates] (Reserved).

   [(a)  Certificates for the employment of program specialists will be issued by the Department at the request of an intermediate unit board of directors when the applicant meets requirements established by a job specification proposal which has been approved by the Department; such certificates shall not be transferable for use in another intermediate unit.

   (b)  Intermediate Unit Program Specialist Certificates may be issued only for an area of professional service in which a certificate does not exist.

   (c)  The provisions of this section and of § 49.62a (relating to school program specialist certificate are mutually exclusive, neither related nor interchangeable.]

Subchapter F. LETTERS OF EQUIVALENCY FOR PAY PURPOSES

§ 49.191.  Letters of Equivalency.

   (a) A Letter of Equivalency shall be issued for salary purposes only, subject to the following terms and conditions:

   (1) The Letter of Equivalency for Master's Degree is issued to persons holding a valid Instructional I, Instructional II, Educational Specialist I, Educational Specialist II certificate or their equivalents, upon the accumulation of 36 hours of graduate level credit. A minimum of 18 academic graduate credits shall be earned in the content area of the applicant's primary teaching assignment at a college or university approved to offer graduate work. A maximum of 18 of the credit requirement may be satisfied through inservice programs approved by the Secretary of Education for meeting master's equivalency requirements.

   (2)  The Letter of Equivalency for Baccalaureate Degree is issued to holders of Vocational Instructional I, Vocational Instructional II or their equivalents upon the accumulation of 90 college credits. A minimum of 18 credit hours of the final 30 shall be earned at a State-approved baccalaureate degree granting institution. The remaining 12 may be satisfied, in full or in part, through inservice programs approved by the Secretary for meeting baccalaureate equivalency requirements.

   (3)  A grade of ''C'' or better is required in college and university courses in which grades are given and a letter of satisfactory completion is required for all inservice courses used toward the attainment of the certificate.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 97-629. Filed for public inspection April 18, 1997, 9:00 a.m.]



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