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    Certification

    “Highly Qualified” Certification Questions and Answers Under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

    The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) replaced the Highly Qualified Teacher (HQT) requirements beginning with the 2016-17 school year. However, Pennsylvania certification and staffing policies, statutes, and regulations remain in effect, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is required to ensure that all teachers and paraprofessionals in schools receiving federal funding fulfill state certification and licensure requirements. Consequently, the data elements that informed HQT calculations are the same for ESSA. Elements such as course and faculty listings tied to student rosters, will continue to be utilized for both federal and state purposes. 

    This document provides LEAs with guidance that will ensure appropriate staffing assignments are made as a result of the changes made by ESSA. Please contact the Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality if you have additional specific staffing or certification questions.

    ​No.  ESSA removed the Highly Qualified Teacher requirements of section 1119 as amended by NCLB. All educators in commonwealth public schools must meet Pennsylvania's certification statutory and regulatory requirements.

    ​Per section 1111(g)(2)(J)  of ESEA, as amended by ESSA, all teachers teaching in a program supported with Title I funding must meet appropriate state certification and licensure requirements.

    ​No. ESSA amended ESEA and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) by removing the Highly Qualified Teacher requirements. All educators in Commonwealth public schools must meet Pennsylvania's certification statutory and regulatory requirements.

    An applicant must complete an approved special education certification preparation program.

    ​Special education teachers who teach core content in a self-contained classroom only need a valid Pennsylvania Special Education certificate with the appropriate age and grade level.

    ​Yes. A school entity may request an exception to the grade limitations from the Pennsylvania Department of Education in accordance with 22 Pa. Code § 49.85 (d). See CSPG 61

    ​No.

    ​No. However, special education teachers that obtained the designation in content areas through the HOUSSE program will continue to see the designations on their Teacher Information Management System (TIMS) profile and on the public website.

    ​IDEA 34 CFR § 300.156 requires educators to hold a special education certificate and must be included in the 75 percent certified staff.

    ​In accordance with Pennsylvania's Charter School law, 75 percent of professional staff members of a charter school must hold appropriate state certification for their assignment (24 P.S. § 17-1724-A). The remaining 25 percent may be uncertified in accordance with 24 P.S. § 17-1724-A(b).

    Under ESSA, there are no specific federal requirements for special education paraprofessionals. There are requirements for paraprofessionals utilized in Title I funded programs. (See Question 12 related to Title I paraprofessional requirements.)

    Special education paraprofessionals must meet Pennsylvania's regulatory requirements contained in 22 Pa. Code §14.105, which include one of the following:

    1. Have completed at least two years of postsecondary study.
    2. Possess an associate degree or higher.
    3. Meet a rigorous standard of quality as demonstrated through a state or local assessment.

    Each school year, Instructional paraprofessionals shall provide evidence of 20 hours of staff development activities related to their assignment.

    These requirements remain in effect, and districts must continue to comply with Chapter 14 requirements related to paraprofessionals.


    • Section 1111(g)(2)(M) of the ESEA, as amended by ESSA, requires each state to have "professional standards for paraprofessionals working in a program supported with funds under [Title I, Part A], including qualifications that were in place on the day before the date of enactment of the [ESSA]."
    • Accordingly, states and LEAs must continue to ensure that each paraprofessional who is hired by the LEA and works in a program supported by Title I, Part A funds has a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent and has achieved one of the following:
      • Completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher education;
      • Obtained an associate's or higher degree; or
      • Met a rigorous standard of quality and can demonstrate, through a formal state or local academic assessment, knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing, and mathematics.
    • Paraprofessionals who only serve as translators or who only conduct parental involvement activities must have a secondary diploma or its equivalent but do not have to meet the additional requirements.

    • An ESL Program Specialist certificate is required to teach ELD or imbed ELD instruction at the PK-12 grade level.
    • See CSPG 68 for additional guidance on the ESL Program Specialist certificate and staffing ESL programs.

    ​Yes. LEAs must continue to submit the data elements in PIMS for other mandated reporting. While HQT will not be calculated, the same information will be used to determinate appropriate certification of staff..