1. New Teacher Induction Workshop
April 7, 2011
Presented by Dr. Wendi Lee Foltz

2. Our Topics Today
Tenure
Level II Certification
Act 48
Changes

3. Our Objectives
To understand how tenure, certification levels, and Act 48 affect our employment.
To have the tools needed to keep our certifications current.

4. Let’s Test Our Knowledge
Please complete the “Test Your Certification Knowledge” quiz.
The answers to the questions will be revealed during the course of today’s presentation.

5. Tenure

6. Why Am I Called A TPE?
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.

7. I will receive tenure in Avon Grove after I complete
Question One
I will receive tenure in Avon Grove after I complete
Three years of satisfactory service in Avon Grove.
A combination of three years service in any Pennsylvania Public School District.
Three years of satisfactory service as a TPE in Avon Grove.

8. Tenure
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.”

9. Question Two
If I leave Avon Grove and go to another Pennsylvania public school district after I achieve tenure
I have to then earn tenure at my new school district.
My tenure will carry with me, but only after one year of satisfactory service in the new District.
It doesn’t matter, because I’m not going to leave Avon Grove.

10. Tenure Is Portable!
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.

11. Level II Certification

12. A Pennsylvania Instructional I certificate is active for
Question Three
A Pennsylvania Instructional I certificate is active for
Six years after date of issue.
Six years of certificated service in a Pennsylvania public school.
Six years of certificated service in any public school in the United States.

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

14. Question Four
To convert an Instructional I to an Instructional II certificate I must do the following: (Choose more than one answer if appropriate.)
Get tenure
Complete 24 graduate credits
Have at least three years of service in the same district
Participate in a district-sponsored induction program

15. Level II Certification Requires:
Level II Facts
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

16. A New Twist . . .
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.

17. Acceptable Coursework in Inclusive Classrooms Includes
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

18. Acceptable Coursework In Standards Aligned Systems 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

19. Where Can I Find Coursework That Meets The SAS Criteria?
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.

20. Question Five
If my Instructional I certificate expires and I haven’t been granted an Instructional II certificate, I can
Apply for an Emergency Permit and keep on teaching.
Keep on teaching in a provisional status.
Not teach until that Instructional II is granted.

21. More Level I To Level II Facts
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.

22. Are available on the Pennsylvania Department of Education website
Level II Forms
Are available on the Pennsylvania Department of Education website
After you complete your portion of the 338P form, please forward it to the Personnel Office for completion.

23. When should I convert my certificate to Level II?
Question Six
When should I convert my certificate to Level II?
As soon as I have completed all of the requirements.
During the last year it is active.
After four years of service.

24. How do I get the instructions to convert my certificate to Level II?
Question Seven
How do I get the instructions to convert my certificate to Level II?
Call the Pennsylvania Department of Education and request one.
Call the District Office and request one.
Go on the Avon Grove website, select “For Staff”, then “Employee Information” and then “Certifications.”

25. Act 48

26. Question Eight
Educators must do the following every five years in order to remain in compliance with Act 48 :
Earn Six Collegiate Credits
Earn 180 Continuing Education Credits
Earn a combination of a & b
Earn Six Graduate Credits
Earn a combination of b & d

27. Act 48 Facts
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.

28. Question Nine
When does the Act 48 five-year period begin for those issued certificates after July 1, 2000?
Upon employment in a Pennsylvania Public School District as a Temporary Professional Employee.
On the effective date of the initial certificate.
Upon employment in a Pennsylvania Public School District as a Long-Term Substitute or a Temporary Professional Employee.

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

30. Act 48 Facts
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.

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

32. Changes

33. Keep Your Info Updated!
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

34. In Summary . . .

35. Have the tools needed to keep our certifications current?
Do We . . .
Understand how tenure, certification levels, and Act 48 affect our employment?
Have the tools needed to keep our certifications current?
Have any questions?

36. Thank you!