​Action Item 1117.2

• Adopted by the Council of Higher Education: November 17, 2010
• Adopted by the State Board of Education: November 18, 2010

RESOLUTION

Whereas, exercising authority granted to it by section 2603-B(d)(10)(i) of the Public School Code of 1949 (24 P.S. § 26-2603-B(d)(10)(i)), the Pennsylvania Department of Education ("Department") promulgated the standards now set forth in 22 Pa. Code Chapter 403 in order to comply with certain provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001; and 

Whereas, in accord with section 2603-B(d)(10)(i) of the Public School Code, the State Board of Education ("State Board") approved the Department's standards as now codified at 22 Pa. Code Chapter 403; and 

Whereas, 22 Pa. Code § 403.4(c)(3) (relating to highly qualified teachers; additional certification avenues) provides that "teachers successfully completing a National teacher-training program approved by the State Board that requires a candidate to demonstrate mastery of the subject area to be taught and professional knowledge needed for classroom effectiveness, may be certified to teach in this Commonwealth without meeting further academic and testing requirements"; and

Whereas, a National teacher-training program known as "The New Teacher Project" has agreed to enter into a partnership with the Pittsburgh School District, also known as Pittsburgh Public Schools; and 

Whereas, applying the same criteria used in evaluating post baccalaureate teacher- training programs and the regulations set forth in § 403.4(c)(3) for National Training Programs, the Department has reviewed and evaluated the teacher-training program that The New Teacher Project seeks to provide in partnership with Pittsburgh Public Schools; and 

Whereas, the Department has determined that the teacher-training program that The New Teacher Project seeks to provide in partnership with Pittsburgh Public Schools requires a candidate to demonstrate mastery of the subject area to be taught through successful completion of content area assessments; and 

Whereas, the Department has determined that the teacher-training program that The New Teacher Project seeks to provide in partnership with Pittsburgh Public Schools requires a candidate to demonstrate the professional knowledge needed for classroom effectiveness in that its program is consistent with the candidate competencies set forth in the relevant professional educator program specific guidelines developed by the Department; and

Whereas, 22 Pa. Code § 403.4(c)(3)(iii) provides that "National teacher-training programs identified for State Board consideration after December 28, 2002, may be approved by State Board resolution without the need to amend this chapter"; and 

Whereas, the Department has recommended for State Board approval the National teacher-training program known as "The New Teacher Project" to be administered in partnership with Pittsburgh Public Schools; and 

Whereas, The New Teacher Project requires a candidate to demonstrate mastery of the subject area to be taught and professional knowledge needed for classroom effectiveness; and 

Whereas, at the regular business meeting of the State Board held September 15, 2010, the leadership of Pittsburgh Public Schools and the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers provided an overview of the school district's teacher effectiveness initiative;  and 

Whereas, at the regular business meeting of the State Board held November 17, 2010, the Department, Pittsburgh Public Schools, and The New Teacher Project made a presentation related to the school district's Teacher Academy initiative; and 

Whereas, this initiative is aimed at increasing the diversity of the school district's applicant pool and recruiting experienced professionals to teach in high-priority areas for at least five years; and 

Whereas, this initiative will be evaluated against the same high standards  expected of post baccalaureate postsecondary institutions; and 

Whereas, the State Board recognizes the important efforts to date among members of the General Assembly to create rigorous, high-quality alternative certification pathways, and urges further action in this regard; and 

Whereas, acting pursuant to 22 Pa. Code § 403.4(c)(3)(iii), the State Board, at its November 18, 2010, meeting, publicly voted to approve The New Teacher Project. 

Now, Therefore, Be It 

Resolved: That teachers successfully completing The New Teacher Project in partnership with the Pittsburgh Public Schools, as described herein, may be certified to teach in this Commonwealth without meeting further academic and testing requirements, provided the teacher satisfies the basic certification requirements prescribed by the Public School Code (see 24 P.S. §§ 12-1202 and 12-1209), including having good moral character, being at least eighteen years of age, and possessing a bachelor's degree.

Resolved: That The New Teacher Project and Pittsburgh Public Schools shall report to the State Board of Education and the Department of Education before  November 18, 2011, on the progress of this initiative. 

Resolved: That the Department of Education shall review the alternative certification program and report its findings to the State Board no later than November 18, 2012. 

Resolved: That following review of the findings and recommendations of the Department, the State Board may act by resolution to modify or terminate the approval of the alternative certification program as described in this Resolution. 

Resolved:  Absent action by the State Board to modify or terminate the program  as described in the preceding paragraph, the alternative certification program shall continue to be approved pursuant to this resolution for so long as the program continues  to meet the requirements of statute and the regulations of the State Board.