All public school principals, including charter and cyber charter school principals, are subject to the applicable certification requirements of the Public School Code ( 24 P.S. § 11-1109) as well as any Act 45 continuing education and Pennsylvania Inspired Leaders (PIL) requirements. In keeping with the intent of section 1109, any person  who devotes half or more of their time to supervision or administration in a public school, without an identified principal, is serving as the “principal” of the school regardless of the locally titled position (i.e., school director, head teacher, etc.). Such individuals must hold a valid administrative certificate and comply with all applicable Act 45 and PIL requirements.  In addition, the public school should properly identify the individual as a principal in PIMS/PERMS regardless of the local title utilized.

Public schools should not create and utilize local titles to avoid employing a principal and circumvent the mandates of Public School Code (24 P.S. § 11-1109) and the Act 45 continuing education requirements.

For further clarification please visit the following links on PDE’s website www.education.pa.gov: 

http://www.education.pa.gov/Teachers%20-%20Administrators/PA%20Inspired%20Leaders/Pages/default.aspx#.VTT8V2TD_Vg   

http://www.education.pa.gov/Teachers%20-%20Administrators/Certifications/Pennsylvania%20Certification/Pages/Administrative-Supervision-Certification.aspx#.VTT77GTD_Vg 

For additional inquiries, a ticket may be submitted to the Help Desk through the Help & Contact Info section of PDE’s website.