PRINTER'S NO. 3251
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2678
Session of
2022
INTRODUCED BY CIRESI, JAMES, MADDEN, ISAACSON, SANCHEZ, HILL-
EVANS, SOLOMON, D. WILLIAMS, MALAGARI, CEPHAS, HOWARD,
SCHWEYER, N. NELSON, RABB, KAIL, A. DAVIS, McNEILL, BRIGGS,
CURRY, DELLOSO, YOUNG, MUSTELLO, LONGIETTI, KULIK, BONNER,
ORTITAY, FIEDLER, DALEY AND GLEIM, JUNE 15, 2022
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JUNE 15, 2022
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in certification of teachers,
providing for dance teaching certificates.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
section to read:
Section 1220. Dance Teaching Certificates.--(a) Consistent
with subsection (b), the department shall:
(1) Upon the effective date of this paragraph, consult with
nonprofit dance education organizations in this Commonwealth to
develop minimum requirements for professional certification in
dance education.
(2) After the consultation under paragraph (1) and within
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ninety (90) days of the effective date of this paragraph, begin
the process of promulgating regulations necessary to implement
and issue Pennsylvania dance teaching certificates to qualified
individuals.
(b) An applicant for professional certification in dance
education shall meet the following minimum requirements:
(1) The completion of an undergraduate degree, along with
course work equivalent to that of a dance major or dance minor.
(2) A demonstrated knowledge of and competence in applying
the fundamental concepts of dance necessary for teaching in a
kindergarten through grade twelve environment.
(3) A passing score on the appropriate subject area
examination.
(4) The completion of requirements for supervised student
teaching.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
department may issue a Pennsylvania dance teaching certificate
to an individual who satisfies all of the following conditions:
(1) Has nontraditional education or experience in dance
teaching, prior to the effective date of this subsection, which
is equivalent to or exceeds the standards specified in the
regulations promulgated under subsection (a)(2).
(2) Possesses a valid dance teaching certificate or
endorsement issued by another state.
(3) Is not disqualified under section 1209.
(d) A Pennsylvania dance teaching certificate under this
section shall qualify an individual to teach dance in the public
schools of this Commonwealth.
(e) Except for a Pennsylvania dance teaching certificate,
nothing under this section shall be construed to modify the
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requirements for the issuance of a Pennsylvania instructional
certificate endorsed in another subject area.
(f) This section shall not apply to an individual who:
(1) has a current dance teaching certificate recognized or
issued by the department prior to the effective date of this
subsection; or
(2) is in the process of obtaining a dance teaching
certificate from the department in accordance with procedures
established by the department prior to the effective date of
this subsection.
(g) As used in this section, the following words and phrases
shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
Section 2. This act shall take effect as follows:
(1) The following shall take effect immediately:
(i) This section.
(ii) The addition of section 1220(a) of the act.
(2) The remainder of this act shall take effect upon the
promulgation of the regulations under section 1220(a)(2) of
the act.
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