PRINTER'S NO. 1009
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1019
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY RIGBY, SCHMITT, CIRESI, SCHLOSSBERG, FREEMAN,
GREGORY AND E. NELSON, APRIL 24, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, APRIL 24, 2023
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," providing for paraprofessional-to-
teacher certification program; and establishing the
Paraprofessional-To-Teacher Grant Program.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding an
article to read:
ARTICLE XV-N
PARAPROFESSIONAL-TO-TEACHER
CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Section 1501-N. Scope of article.
This article relates to the Paraprofessional-to-Teacher
Certification Program.
Section 1502-N. Legislative intent.
It is the intent of the General Assembly to produce new
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teachers with the knowledge, understandings and skills to
promote student learning.
Section 1503-N. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this article
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Grant program." The Paraprofessional-to-Teacher Grant
Program.
"Institution of higher education." Any of the following:
(1) A university within the State System of Higher
Education under Article XX-A.
(2) A State-related institution as defined in section
2001-C.
(3) An accredited private or independent college or
university.
"Paraprofessional." An instructional paraprofessional within
the meaning of 22 Pa. Code § 14.105 (relating to personnel).
"Paraprofessional-to-teacher certification program." A
teacher preparation program offered by an institution of higher
education designed for a paraprofessional to achieve a teacher
certification.
Section 1504-N. Paraprofessional-to-teacher certification
program.
(a) Guidance.--The department shall provide guidance to
institutions of higher education to establish a
paraprofessional-to-teacher certification program to aid
paraprofessionals to meet Pennsylvania instructional
certification requirements.
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(b) Comprehensive materials.--The program shall be designed
to be comprehensive and delivered through a combination of
university academic classroom, school and other appropriate
settings and shall include the following components:
(1) Ensure that paraprofessional candidates for
professional educator certification master both the content
and methodology of their discipline and meet the standards
for academic performance as defined in 22 Pa. Code § 354.24
(relating to academic performance) and professional educator
curriculum as defined in 22 Pa. Code § 354.25 (relating to
preparation program curriculum) and that candidates are
supported in their achievement of the learning principles
under 22 Pa. Code § 354.33 (relating to professional
competency).
(2) Enable a paraprofessional to complete college
credits for the work performed in their role as a
paraprofessional.
(3) Enable a paraprofessional to use wage-earning
classroom time towards required student teaching hours.
Classroom teaching experiences are expected to include face-
to-face components.
(4) Allow for utilization of online course options.
Section 1505-N. Paraprofessional-to-Teacher Grant Program.
(a) Establishment.--The Paraprofessional-to-Teacher Grant
Program is established in the department for the purpose of
awarding grants to institutions of higher education to develop
paraprofessional-to-teacher certification programs.
(b) Duties.--The department shall:
(1) Adopt guidelines for the approval of grant
applications.
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(2) Determine the form and manner in which an
application for a grant may be filed with the department.
(3) Provide notice of the program to institutions of
higher education.
(4) Make grant applications available to all
institutions of higher education along with details relating
to the application process.
(5) Beginning no later than 90 days after the effective
date of this paragraph, begin accepting and processing
applications. For all subsequent years, the department shall
establish an application period during which applications for
grants under this article are accepted.
(c) Eligibility.--An institution of higher education that
develops and implements a paraprofessional-to-teacher
certification program in compliance with department criteria and
guidelines established under section 1504-N may apply to the
department for a grant.
(d) Application.--An eligible institution of higher
education may apply for a grant by submitting an application to
the department at such time and in the manner prescribed by the
department. The department shall determine the amount of a grant
award in accordance with the department's guidelines.
(e) Allocation.--Grants shall be awarded from funds
appropriated to the department for this purpose.
(f) Limitations.--An institution of higher education may not
receive an annual grant allocation that exceeds 20% of the funds
available under the grant program.
(g) Permitted uses.--The grant shall be used by an eligible
institution of higher education for the following:
(1) To fund the establishment and implementation of a
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paraprofessional-to-teacher certification program that offers
flexibility by utilizing both in-person and asynchronous
learning and allows the paraprofessional to remain employed
while in the program.
(2) To provide a discounted or reduced tuition rate to
participants enrolled in the paraprofessional educational
program.
(h) Other funding sources.--Funds received by an institution
of higher education under the grant program may be used in
conjunction with funds received from any other public or private
source.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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