April 7, 2011Presented by Dr. Wendi Lee Foltz

New Teacher Induction Workshop

• Tenure• Level II Certification• Act 48 • Changes

Our Topics Today

• To understand how tenure, certification levels, and Act 48 affect our employment.

• To have the tools needed to keep our certifications current.

Our Objectives

• Please complete the “Test Your Certification Knowledge” quiz.

• The answers to the questions will be revealed during the course of today’s presentation.

Let’s Test Our Knowledge

Tenure

• A Temporary Professional Employee (TPE) is an employee contracted to serve in a vacancy created as a new position or by the resignation, termination or retirement of an incumbent.

• The status remains temporary until the employee is awarded tenure in accordance with the prevailing state law.

Why Am I Called A TPE?

I will receive tenure in Avon Grove after I completea) Three years of satisfactory service in Avon

Grove.b) A combination of three years service in any

Pennsylvania Public School District.c) Three years of satisfactory service as a TPE

in Avon Grove.

Question One

• A Temporary Professional Employee must have three years of service with one school district and achieve a satisfactory rating during the last four months of that third year.

• Upon completion of these requirements, the employee is offered a Professional Employee contract and then has “tenure.”

Tenure

If I leave Avon Grove and go to another Pennsylvania public school district after I achieve tenurea) I have to then earn tenure at my new school district.b) My tenure will carry with me, but only after one year

of satisfactory service in the new District.c) It doesn’t matter, because I’m not going to leave

Avon Grove.

Question Two

• Your tenure would go with you if you went to another Pennsylvania public school district.

• So do up to 25 of your accrued but unused sick days.

Tenure Is Portable!

Level II Certification

A Pennsylvania Instructional I certificate is active fora) Six years after date of issue.b) Six years of certificated service in a

Pennsylvania public school.c) Six years of certificated service in any public

school in the United States.

Question Three

• Your Level I certificate is invalid after your 6th year of service.

• What counts toward those 6 years?• Certificated service in a PA public school for at

least 45 days in a single assignment.• You may use assignments in PA charter schools if

you wish.

Level I Facts

To convert an Instructional I to an Instructional II certificate I must do the following: (Choose more than one answer if appropriate.)a) Get tenureb) Complete 24 graduate creditsc) Have at least three years of service in the same

districtd) Participate in a district-sponsored induction program

Question Four

• Level II Certification Requires:– 24 credits beyond the bachelors level– 3 years of satisfactory service (doesn’t have

to be consecutive)– Successful results on the Level II assessment

(PDE 427)– Participation in an Induction Program

Level II Facts

• Educators issued an Instructional I certificate after September 22, 2007 must complete 6 specific credit hours in the area of Inclusive Classrooms and/ or in the area of Standards Aligned Systems (SAS)as a part of the 24 semester hour post-baccalaureate credits.

A New Twist . . .

• Providing effective instruction to students with mild to severe disabilities

• Research-proven strategies and methods to help special needs learners gain meaningful access to elementary and/or secondary curriculum content

• Assessing the success of instruction with special learners and improvement for all students

• Methods of motivation and classroom management in settings with special needs learners

Acceptable Coursework in Inclusive Classrooms Includes

• Understanding the national movement for core academic standards

• Understanding Pennsylvania's Standards Aligned System (SAS) and the research base underlying its six components

• Use of diagnostics and formative assessment• Use of Pennsylvania's Ed Portal as an ongoing job-

embedded resource for educators• A requirement to conduct a professional development

activity or awareness session in the educator's own school district on Pennsylvania's SAS and curriculum frameworks

Acceptable Coursework In Standards Aligned Systems Includes

• Many courses can meet this requirement, including courses in formative and diagnostic assessment, policy courses examining the national standards movement, and courses in meeting the needs of students with special needs.

• PDE recommends that applicants send in course descriptions for the specific courses.

Where Can I Find Coursework That Meets The SAS Criteria?

If my Instructional I certificate expires and I haven’t been granted an Instructional II certificate, I cana) Apply for an Emergency Permit and keep on

teaching.b) Keep on teaching in a provisional status.c) Not teach until that Instructional II is granted.

Question Five

• If not converted before the end of the applicable service period, the certificate becomes invalid. 

• An emergency permit will not be issued to a person with an invalid certificate.

• The certificate holder will be ineligible for employment in a Pennsylvania public school.

More Level I To Level II Facts

• Are available on the Pennsylvania Department of Education website– http://www.teaching.state.pa.us

• After you complete your portion of the 338P form, please forward it to the Personnel Office for completion.

Level II Forms

• When should I convert my certificate to Level II?

a) As soon as I have completed all of the requirements.

b) During the last year it is active.c) After four years of service.

Question Six

• How do I get the instructions to convert my certificate to Level II?a) Call the Pennsylvania Department of

Education and request one.b) Call the District Office and request one.c) Go on the Avon Grove website, select

“For Staff”, then “Employee Information” and then “Certifications.”

Question Seven

Act 48

Educators must do the following every five years in order to remain in compliance with Act 48 :a) Earn Six Collegiate Creditsb) Earn 180 Continuing Education Creditsc) Earn a combination of a & bd) Earn Six Graduate Creditse) Earn a combination of b & d

Question Eight

• Educators must maintain their certificates as active by earning six collegiate credits or six PDE-approved in-service credits or 180 continuing education hours or any combination of the above every five calendar years.

• Each collegiate credit is equal to 30 continuing education hours.

• All credits and hours must be related to an educator’s certificate type or area of assignment, unless enrolled in an administrative program or approved by the school board.

Act 48 Facts

• When does the Act 48 five-year period begin for those issued certificates after July 1, 2000?a) Upon employment in a Pennsylvania Public School

District as a Temporary Professional Employee.b) On the effective date of the initial certificate.c) Upon employment in a Pennsylvania Public School

District as a Long-Term Substitute or a Temporary Professional Employee.

Question Nine

What’s the best way for a certificated employee to check on his/her Act 48 balance?a) Call the Personnel Office.b) Check the PDE website.c) Log onto mylearningplan.com

Question Ten

• Act 48 requires Pennsylvania educators holding Pennsylvania public school certification to earn continuing education credits.

• You may check your “balance” at the PDE website

• To keep your certificate active you must meet these requirements.

Act 48 Facts

• Pennsylvania Provider? – Contact the provider and ask them to report it.

• Out of State Provider?– You need to report it to the PDE by mailing in

an official transcript.

What If Something I Completed Isn’t On The PDE Website?

Changes

• If you change your name or your address, you must notify the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the AGSD personnel office.

• Forms are available at– http://www.teaching.state.pa.us– http://www.avongrove.org/district/Personnel/H

umanResources/index.html

Keep Your Info Updated!

In Summary . . .

• Understand how tenure, certification levels, and Act 48 affect our employment?

• Have the tools needed to keep our certifications current?

• Have any questions?

Do We . . .

Thank you!