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What is Act 48? What Does It Mean For Teachers in PA?
- October 17, 2019
- Posted by: The Teachers Academy
- Category: All Blog Postings Educator Resources / News Online Courses Teacher Features
As educators in Pennsylvania, you know that you need to complete a set amount of professional development credits to maintain your active status professional certification through the ubiquitous Act 48. Unfortunately, many public school teachers, even school administration employees, are unaware of what Act 48 is and how many Act 48 credits are necessary to keep their jobs.
Fortunately, we at The Teacher’s Academy (TTA) are committed to providing the materials and opportunities for educators to extend their professional development and appease the Act 48 requirements. In this article, we will give a basic overview of Act 48 requirements and provide some information on how TTA’s courses can make short work of this looming, obligatory directive by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) through online continuing education credits.
Act 48 Defined
Act 48 of 1999, enacted on July 1, 2000, is a PDE precept that requires all public school educators to complete additional courses to stay current in their content areas and as teachers in a rapidly changing world. It was designed to improve accountability across the board and the quality of professional development (PD).
Following the directives of Act 48 is compulsory for all public school employees who possess one or more of the following certifications:
- Instructional I & II
- Educational Specialist I & II
- Administrative
- Supervisory
- Letters of Eligibility
- All Vocational Certifications
Requirements:
Every five calendar years, starting from the issuance of professional certificate(s), Act 48 requires all public school educators to complete six credits of collegiate study, six credits of PDE-approved courses, 180 hours of continuing education courses, programs, or activities by an approved provider, or a combination of these. As a result of this participation, educators are permitted to retain the active status on their public school certificate while also improving their classroom engagement as well as their personal and professional development.
Failing to complete the necessary hours/credits will result in an inactive certificate after the five-year period, disqualifying them for consideration as a public school educator until the remaining credits are completed.
Benefits of TTA Continuing Education Courses
After reading the information above, it is easy to get overwhelmed with the requirements of Act 48 and the consequences associated with the failure to complete the prescribed hours. We at TTA understand these stresses and hope to alleviate them by providing excellent professional development opportunities for teachers in Montgomery County with courses approved by the PA Department of Education to chip away at Act 48 before the five-year-period is up. Watch the following video to learn more about the benefits of taking courses set up by The Teacher’s Academy: