UNIVERSITY PARK – Teacher certification in Pennsylvania may see a drastic change starting with the class of 2013.
In summer 2005, the Commonwealth’s Department of Education made public a proposal to change Chapter 49, the regulation guiding teacher certification. The three key changes included the elimination of the K-6 elementary teaching certificate, which would be replaced with new certificates in Pre-K-4 and grades 4-8; a mandated dual certification for special education teachers in Pre-K-8, reading or a content area of secondary education; and the required completion of nine additional college credits (or 270 hours) in adaptations and accommodations for diverse learners and three additional credits (or 90 hours) in English language learning. The changes would not affect teachers who currently hold teaching certificates in Pennsylvania.
“I think the proposal brought a great deal of attention to teacher certification in Pennsylvania,” said Jacqueline Edmondson, Penn State College of Education’s associate dean for teacher education and undergraduate programs. “It has been an opportunity for teacher education faculty, members of the legislature and other groups to discuss teacher education in Pennsylvania.”
Currently, teacher certification in Pennsylvania is organized into four grade-level groupings: early childhood (nursery through third grade), elementary (kindergarten through sixth grade), secondary school (seventh through 12th grade) and K-12 certificates for certain programs (world language, special education and reading).
The Pennsylvania Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (PAC-TE) has voiced their concern to the Commonwealth’s Department of Education, the Board of Education and members of the legislature. One concern is that the proposed PK-4 and 4-8 certificates are out of step with others in the field of education. These proposed certificates do not map well onto the structures of public schools, which in Pennsylvania are mostly K-5 or K-6. In addition, there are not many other states using this same framework, which could make it more difficult for teachers to move to other states. States like Texas that have tried a similar change in certification are beginning to return to the K-6 certificate.
Edmondson said PAC-TE expressed concern with the mandated dual certification for special education as well.
“This additional requirement will result in more time for special education students to complete their studies,” she said. “There’s already a shortage of special education teachers in Pennsylvania, so the concern is that this would negatively impact the number of students enrolled in the program and ultimately the availability of special education teachers in public schools throughout the Commonwealth.”
Edmondson said that more knowledge of and experience with diverse learners and English language learners is definitely an important part of teacher certification. However, if these additional credits or hours of experience can only be completed for the Instructional I teaching certificate, it could make it difficult for teacher education students to complete their program of study in four-year undergraduate programs, particularly within the 120-credit limit those State System of Higher Education schools are expected to honor. The additional requirement cannot compromise other aspects of the program, including the content courses that students need to become certified teachers. Edmondson said this would mean that faculty who lead music, art, agriculture, mathematics, science or other specific areas of study would need to find ways to incorporate the additional requirement without compromising the standards of the program.
While Edmondson and other education faculty in Pennsylvania recognize the positive impact Chapter 49-2 is trying to have on education in the Commonwealth, they think the state should proceed cautiously and rely on research and experts in the field of education to determine the best course for change.
Presently Chapter 49-2 is under a second review with the House and Senate Education Communities as well as the Independent Regulatory Review Commission. Final votes are anticipated by the middle of August.