Deadline to register is tomorrow, Thursday, July 19, 2018. 

Later this month, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) will hold a series of regional stakeholder convenings to engage educational partners in preliminary discussions about Chapter 49 in Title 22 of the Pennsylvania Code, the state regulations pertaining to educator preparation and certification in Pennsylvania.  The goal of these meetings is to gather input on key themes and issues that will help inform PDE’s recommendations to the State Board of Education as it prepares to update Chapter 49.

As a member of the education community, we hope that you will consider participating in one of the sessions, as well as extend this invitation to others who may benefit from the discussion. 

Meeting participants should have an active role in the areas of educator preparation or certification, local education agency supervisory or human resource functions, or related entities or professional associations. More specifically, participants should be knowledgeable of, and able to speak to, current certification practices described in Chapter 49, including, but not limited to:

• Certificate types, categories, subject areas, and grade spans;
• Evaluation and approval of educator preparation programs;
• Assessment tools, instruments, and procedures to measure skills, knowledge, and practice of teacher and school leader candidates; and
• Induction and continuing professional education requirements.

Meetings are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (with a one-hour lunch break on your own) at the following locations across the state:

• Tuesday, July 24 – PaTTAN-East, Malvern, PA
• Wednesday, July 25 – PaTTAN-Harrisburg, Harrisburg, PA
• Thursday, July 26 – Allegheny Intermediate Unit #3, Homestead, PA

Interested participants must register online by Thursday, July 19th. Given space limitations, the Department reserves the right to limit attendance to one representative per institution and to ensure diversity in stakeholder voice. Selected participants will receive a confirmation of participation with additional information and the meeting details by Friday, July 20th.

Thank you in advance for sharing your time and expertise with PDE. Any inquiries concerning the convenings may be sent to Jamal Wakeem at RA-EDCHAPTER49REVIEW@pa.gov.