EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST CERTIFICATES
§ 49.101. General.
The Department will issue Educational Specialist Certificates to persons whose primary responsibility is 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 4 (relating to academic standards and assessment). Educational specialist certificates will be issued to candidates who meet the following standards:
(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 support 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 communication 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 the 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 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.
(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.
Source The provisions of this § 49.101 amended September 24, 1999, effective September 25, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 4954; amended July 14, 2006, effective July 15, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 3655. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (295074) and (260825).
Cross References This section cited in 22 Pa. Code § 19.3 (relating to nonteaching professional employee effectiveness rating tool).
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