HARRISBURG – The Senate Education Committee advanced a bill sponsored by committee chairman Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) today to remove barriers to acquiring certification for qualified teachers moving to Pennsylvania.
“With educator shortages continuing to plague parts of the state, we need to do everything we can to make it easier for qualified, well-suited people to become teachers in Pennsylvania,” said Argall. “Today’s vote to ease the administrative burdens for teachers moving here is just one of many proposals we will consider on this topic.”
Senate Bill 843 would enter Pennsylvania into the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact. Teachers with eligible certification in other compact states would not be required to complete additional materials, exams or coursework when applying for certification in Pennsylvania. They would still be required to complete background checks and other security clearances.
Argall introduced the bill after a public hearing of the Senate Education Committee heard testimony from the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification about the benefits of joining the compact. Currently, 10 states have joined the compact.
The committee also advanced House Bill 1094, sponsored by Rep. Brian Munroe (D-144), which would allow children from military families to enroll in a school district before they establish residency in Pennsylvania.
Both bills now head to the full Senate for consideration.
CONTACT: Jim Brugger, 717-787-2637