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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2025 - 2026
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 13, 2024 09:45 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Lisa A. Borowski and Rep. Paul Friel, Rep. Tarah Probst, Rep. Jim Prokopiak |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Incentivizing Inactive Educators to Return to Teaching |
| Reports from the Pennsylvania Department of Education shows that 6,366 individuals received emergency permits during the 2021-2022 school year, but only 4,220 individuals received teaching certificates. For the first time, Pennsylvania brought in more new educators that do not have the full qualifications to teach in schools than those that do. We also have teachers who have stepped away from education, placing their certifications on inactive status. Experts note one of the top three reasons individuals do not earn their teaching certification is due to the cost of higher education. My legislation would help those who wish to return to education complete their Act 48 professional development requirements. We can do this by allowing certified, inactive educators the option of earning college credits at a free or reduced cost. Providing for college credits could help bring teachers back to Pennsylvania schools, promote our universities, and help bring inactive educators up to speed on changes that have been made since leaving the field. Having more educated teachers will inject new knowledge into the classroom environment. Removing barriers to career re-entry is not just a concern of mine, it was brought to me from constituents who took a step back from the field but wish to return. I hope you will consider sponsoring this because you listen to our teachers, you act on their concerns, and you do what is necessary to return passionate educators to the classroom. |