HB 1401 — An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in certification of teachers, providing for educator preparation admission.

PRINTER'S NO.    1600

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 1401
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY YOUNG, SANCHEZ, MERSKI, PROBST, PIELLI,
        SCHLOSSBERG, PROKOPIAK, HILL-EVANS, GIRAL, ISAACSON, PARKER,
        ABNEY, O'MARA, OTTEN, TAKAC AND SCHWEYER, MAY 5, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MAY 5, 2025


                                    AN ACT
 1   Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
 2      act relating to the public school system, including certain
 3      provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
 4      schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
 5      laws relating thereto," in certification of teachers,
 6      providing for educator preparation admission.
 7      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 8   hereby enacts as follows:
 9      Section 1.    The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
10   as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
11   section to read:
12      Section 1207.5.    Educator Preparation Admission.--(a)   A
13   preparing institution shall recruit and admit applicants who
14   demonstrate potential for professional success in a public
15   school by ensuring that each applicant admitted to an initial
16   preparation program culminating in a bachelor's degree or higher
17   shall have completed at least forty-eight (48) semester credit
18   hours or the full-time equivalent of prior college or university
19   coursework with a minimum grade point average of 2.8.
 1      (b)   The criteria for admission to an advanced preparation
 2   program shall include at least the following:
 3      (1)   An overall minimum grade point average of 2.8.
 4      (2)   Faculty and professional recommendations.
 5      (3)   A record of competence and effectiveness in professional
 6   work.
 7      (4)   Graduation from a regionally accredited college or
 8   university.
 9      (c)   A preparing institution may accept up to ten percent
10   (10%) of the applicants for admission to the initial preparation
11   program who do not meet overall minimum GPA requirements under
12   subsection (a). The criteria for admission of applicants under
13   this subsection shall be developed and documented by the
14   preparing institution and must include the requirements in 22
15   Pa. Code § 49.12 (relating to eligibility).
16      (d)   As used in this section, the following words and phrases
17   shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless
18   the context clearly indicates otherwise:
19      "Advanced preparation program."    As defined in 22 Pa. Code §
20   354.1 (relating to definitions).
21      "Applicant."   As defined in 22 Pa. Code § 354.1.
22      "Initial preparation program."     As defined in 22 Pa. Code §
23   354.1.
24      "Preparing institution."   As defined in 22 Pa. Code § 354.1.
25      Section 2.   This act shall take effect immediately.




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