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WHAT EVERY PSYCHOLOGIST
NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT ACT 48
SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On November 23, 1999, Governor Tom Ridge signed into law Act
48, which changes the requirements for maintaining an active Pennsylvania
Professional educator certificate. Act 48 requires ongoing studies
throughout each educator’s career.
WHAT IS ACT 48 AND WHO IS AFFECTED?
Act 48 requires all Pennsylvania educators holding Pennsylvania
public school certification, including Intern, Instructional I
and II, Educational Specialist I and II, Administrative, Supervisory,
Letters of Eligibility and all vocational certificates, to participate
in ongoing professional education. School psychologists hold education
specialist certificates.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS UNDER ACT 48?
All professional educators must obtain six credits of collegiate
study; six credits of continuing professional education courses;
180 hours (6/6/180) of continuing professional education programs,
activities or learning experiences; or any combination of credits
or hours equivalent to 180 hours every five years to maintain
active status. One credit equals 30 hours. All credits and hours
must be related to an educator's certification, professional education
assignment in Pennsylvania public schools or potential administrative
certification. The administrator may approve exceptions if a change
of assignment area is anticipated.
WHAT ARE THE SPECIFIC DEADLINES FOR MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS?
The second five-year period for all professional educators currently
holding a Pennsylvania Professional Certification began on July
1, 2005 and ends June 30, 2010.
MUST EDUCATORS WHO HOLD PUBLIC SCHOOL CERTIFICATION BUT
ARE NOT EMPLOYED IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS
OF ACT 48?
Yes, the provisions of Act 48 apply to all educators holding
Pennsylvania public school certificates. Educators not employed
by Pennsylvania public schools may maintain their certificates
as active or they may request voluntary inactive status of their
certificates by submitting Form PDE 338R. However, it is important
to note that private and nonpublic schools may, at their discretion,
require their professional staff to maintain their certificates
as active by completing continuing education credits or activities.
Employment by the public school entities will necessitate the
completion of the Act 48 requirements.
HOW WILL THE RECORDS OF CREDITS AND HOURS ACQUIRED BY
THE EDUCATORS BE REPORTED?
State-approved professional education providers are responsible
for reporting hours/credits to the Pennsylvania Department of
Education through the Act 48 Professional Education Record Management
System at www.teaching.state.pa.us/teaching/cwp/view.asp?a
=11&Q=32371. PPA can submit this information for our members
for any PPA workshops that are attended or any workshops that
have been approved by the American Psychological Association.
HOW CAN EDUCATORS AND SCHOOL ENTITIES ACCESS CONTINUING
EDUCATION RECORDS?
Information regarding the credits/hours earned and the continuing
education status may be found at www.teaching.state.pa.us/teaching/cwp/view.asp?a=11&Q=32371&teachingNav=|93|2559|
or the Voice Response Unit at the Bureau of Teacher Certification
and Preparation at (717) 787-2967.
WHAT IF CIRCUMSTANCES PREVENT AN EDUCATOR FROM COMPLETING
THE REQUIREMENTS OF ACT 48?
There is a provision for granting an extension of the five-year
period due to extenuating circumstances. The Act also provides
for an educator's right to appeal a notice of inactive certification.
The Department will develop procedural guidelines for the above
provisions.
WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF AN APPROVED PROVIDER?
An approved professional education provider is an accredited
institution of higher education, school entity, individual, regional
professional education organization/agency, corporation, partnership,
limited liability company or association approved by the Pennsylvania
Department of Education to provide continuing professional education
credits, collegiate credits or professional education hours in
accordance with Act 48. PPA is an approved provider.
WHERE CAN YOU GO FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ACT 48?
For more information please visit the Act 48 section of the Pennsylvania
Department of Education website: http://www.pde.state.pa.us/pde_internet/site/default.asp
You can also contact the Bureau of Curriculum and Academic Services
Division of Professional Education and Planning at PA Department
of Education, 333 Market Street - 8th Floor, Harrisburg, PA, 17126-0333,
Voice: (717) 772-4944, Fax:(717) 772-3621.
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