State Board of Education

Regulations & Policy

The State Board of Education works closely with the Department of Education, state policymakers, and educators to review, develop and adopt regulations that govern significant components of both basic and higher education in the Commonwealth. 

​Here you will find a link to access current state education regulations, as well as information about statements of policy issued by the Board.  

State Academic Standards

PA Code Title 22 (Education)

The official version of state education regulations is kept at the Pennsylvania Code web site, Title 22 in both web-readable (HTML) and printable (PDF) formats. Please refer to this web site to obtain the current official version of state education regulations.

Private School Accrediting Organizations

Per section 5 of the Private Academic Schools Act, private schools may operate in the Commonwealth without seeking state licensure if the school is accredited by an accrediting association approved by the State Board of Education. Organizations interested in applying to become approved accreditors or seeking to renew their current accrediting authority must follow the Statement of Policy published at 22 Pa. Code, Chapter 52. A list of current approved private school accrediting organizations is provided below.

Chapter 52

​Approved Private Academic School Accrediting Organizations

Updated September 2020

Accreditation AgencyScope of Accrediting AuthorityDate ApprovedDate Approval Expires
CogniaPreschool
Kindergarten
Elementary (grades 1-8)
Secondary (grades 9-12)
Tutoring Centers*
Educational Testing and Remedial Centers*
November 14, 2019
July 13, 2016*
(*for Tutoring Centers, Educational Testing and Remedial Centers)
November 14, 2024
Middle States Association of Colleges and SchoolsPreschool
Kindergarten
Elementary (grades 1-8)
Secondary (grades 9-12) and Special   Education Private Academic Schools
Tutoring Centers
Educational Testing and Remedial Centers
September 9, 2020September 9, 2025
PA Association of Independent Schools (PAIS)Preschool
Kindergarten
Elementary (grades 1-8)
Secondary (grades 9-12) Private Academic Schools
September 9, 2020September 9, 2025

Career and Technical Education Admissions Appeals

Per Section 1809 of the Public School Code, individuals denied admission to a vocational education school or department may appeal that determination to the State Board of Career and Technical Education. Here you will find the Board's policies for the consideration and decision of such appeals.

Standards for Consideration of Alternative Certification Program Requests

The State Board of Education previously adopted the following resolutions expressing its opinion that the following standards should be applied by the Board in considering requests for approval of alternative certification programs.