HARRISBURG – Two bills sponsored by Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-46) were included in the state’s public school code, which dictates how education funding contained in the General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-23 is spent.
The first legislative measure, which was originally drafted as Senate Bill 224, will simplify the process for out-of-state teachers to obtain certification in the commonwealth as a way to address Pennsylvania’s teacher shortage.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the number of newly issued in-state instructional teaching certificates has dropped by 66% since 2010.
It will also make out-of-state candidates for teacher certification to be eligible for an instructional certificate if they hold a valid certificate from another state and completed the necessary teaching preparation, testing and satisfactory experience requirements.
Another bill that was included in the school code is Senate Bill 237, which would allow students of brick-and-mortar charter schools, regional charter schools and cyber charter schools to enroll in concurrent college courses through an institution of higher education.
“I am so thankful that every student in Pennsylvania will now have the same access to advanced coursework. Studies have shown that dual enrollment programs increase the likelihood of students continuing their education after high school, prepare them for academic success in college and can decrease the cost of college if they have fewer required courses to complete,” Bartolotta said.
Previously, only students at traditional public schools were able to participate in dual enrollment programs.
The legislative language will have no impact on a school district’s finances.
CONTACT: Katrina Hanna, 717-787-1463