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    ​​Certification Staffing Policy Guidelines (CSPGs)

    ​​CSPG 100 - Temporary Permits for Resource Specialists

    Modified: March 31, 2023

    General Policies

    A Resource Specialist Permit is issued at the request of a public school entity for a competent, but noncertified, person to provide supplemental instruction in their profession or area of expertise as a way to assist the certified teacher. The temporary permit is valid for three calendar years and is not transferable to another public school entity.  Individuals employed under these provisions are not considered professional staff.  The supplemental instruction must occur under the direct supervision of a certified teacher.

    Examples of the use of such persons would be a renowned chef in a family and consumer science class, a famous sculptor or painter in an art education class, or an outstanding musician in a music education class.  Resource Specialists may not supplant certified fine arts or performing arts teachers.

    Requirements and Procedures

    1. When this service is provided by a Resource Specialist at a non-designated creative and performing arts specialty school, the service must be part-time and must not exceed 400 clock-hours during a school year. Resource Specialists cannot be considered professional staff. 
    2. When services are provided by a Resource Specialist in the fine arts or performing arts schools designated by its governing board as a creative and performing arts specialty school, the Resource Specialist may be employed for up to 800 clock-hours per school year. Resource Specialists cannot be considered professional staff.
    3. A permit is not required for a one-day special event.
    4. To apply for a Resource Specialist permit, the individual must submit an application via PDE's electronic educator certification application system and  include a Permit Request Form signed by the school's Chief Administrator.  

    Reference

    22 Pa. Code §49.62

    This revision supersedes all earlier CSPGs carrying this number and/or addressing this subject. Previous CSPG printing dates on this subject: 7/06, 7/04, 1/87,3/75

    Summary of Changes

    ​Date of Revisions
    		​Major Changes to CSPG #100
    ​3/2023
    • ​Updated formatting and terminology.
    • Clarified that a permit is not needed for a one-day special event.
    • Added application procedures.
    ​7/2013
    		​Updated bureau name.
    ​7/2006
    • Service as a Resource Specialist must not exceed 400 clock-hours during a school year (formerly 300 clock-hours).
    • When services are provided by professional practitioners in the fine arts or performing arts (for example-music, dance, pottery, painting, sculpture and the like) in schools designated by its governing board as a creative and performing arts specialty school, the resource specialists may be employed for up to 800 hours per year. These Resource Specialist may not supplant certified fine arts or performing arts teachers. Individuals employed under these provisions are not considered professional staff.
    ​7/2004
    • CSPG title and numerical change to CSPG #100 - Temporary Permits for Resource Specialists.
    • Issuance for three calendar years to resource specialists; previously one school year.
    ​1/1987
    • CSPG # 31- Letter of Temporary Certification.
    • No longer issued to exchange teachers.
    ​3/1975
    • CSPG # 31- Status and Assignments of Persons Holding Letters of Temporary Certification: included information on the letter of temporary certification issued to:
      • Resource Specialists assigned to a maximum of 300 clock hours to supplement, but not supplant professional staff.
    • Exchange teachers who were foreign nationals or professional educational personnel certificated in other states for employment as substitute teachers for regularly employed professional staff who were involved in an exchange program. The letters of temporary certification listed duties and functions which the holder was able to perform in the employing school. An incoming exchange teacher was required to hold the appropriate letter of temporary certification before being employed.
    • The letter of temporary certification was issued to expire on June 30 following the date of its issuance and was not transferable to another employer.​