In certification of teachers, further providing for instructional certificate grade spans and age levels and duties of department and providing for instructional certificate grade spans and age levels; and abrogating a regulation .
Summary
HB1407 revises Pennsylvania teacher certification rules by changing instructional certificate grade spans and age levels, with a particular focus on early childhood and elementary/middle certification. The bill directs the Department of Education to notify preparation programs and certificate holders that early childhood educators may expand their certificates to cover grades 5 and 6 by meeting qualifying assessment scores, and it requires the department to make that assessment information publicly available. It also sets new certificate spans for instructional certificates issued after July 1, 2027: primary certificates would cover pre-K through grade 6, secondary certificates would begin at grade 7, and specialized certificates would remain pre-K through grade 12.
Impact
The bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 and abrogates inconsistent portions of 22 Pa. Code § 49.85, replacing parts of the current regulatory framework with statutory grade-span rules. It creates two pathways for current early childhood and elementary/middle certificate holders to expand their certification scope: continuing education credits or qualifying assessment scores. It also limits new candidates in certain educator preparation programs after the transition period, allows some current candidates to finish under prior rules, and authorizes the Secretary of Education to issue exceptions and adopt implementation standards. The changes are scheduled to apply beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year, with some provisions taking effect immediately and the regulatory override taking effect July 1, 2027.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad support in the House, passing committee and floor votes unanimously with no recorded opposition. The voting history suggests a generally favorable view of the measure as a technical but meaningful update to teacher certification rules. No committee transcript was provided, so there is no recorded debate language to indicate significant public disagreement.
Contention
The main policy issues are the shift in certification boundaries and how educators can qualify to teach additional grades, especially whether early childhood and elementary/middle teachers should be able to cover grades 5 and 6. Another potential point of contention is the bill’s effect on educator preparation programs, which must adjust coursework, fieldwork, and admissions timelines, and the Department of Education’s discretion to set standards and grant exceptions. The bill also phases out acceptance of new candidates under the old certification structure, which could concern preparation programs and candidates who are midway through training.
In certification of teachers, further providing for certificates qualifying persons to teach, for standard employment application, for career and technical instructional certificate and for postbaccalaureate certification; and abrogating regulations.