Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB1404

Introduced
5/5/25  
Refer
5/5/25  
Refer
6/16/25  
Report Pass
6/17/25  
Engrossed
6/23/25  

Caption

In certification of teachers, further providing for certificates qualifying persons to teach, for standard employment application, for career and technical instructional certificate and for postbaccalaureate certification; and abrogating regulations.

Impact

If enacted, HB 1404 would significantly impact the landscape of teacher certification by allowing more diverse pathways into the teaching profession. The bill aims to simplify the certification process, making it easier for qualified individuals who have experience in relevant fields to transition into teaching roles, particularly in career and technical education sectors. This is expected to address workforce shortages in certain subject areas by fostering an influx of new teachers who possess practical, real-world experience, which can enhance the learning environment for students.

Summary

House Bill 1404 focuses on amending existing laws concerning the certification of teachers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The bill proposes changes to the Public School Code of 1949, specifically in sections that govern the qualifications needed for teaching certificates and the processes surrounding teacher certification. It introduces the concept of a second career certificate aimed at individuals shifting into the teaching profession from other fields, thereby providing flexibility in the certification process and recognizing various forms of professional competencies beyond traditional educational pathways.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 1404 appears to be cautiously optimistic among supporters who argue that the bill broadens the teacher talent pool and modernizes the teacher certification process. Proponents contend that by accommodating second career professionals, the bill could bring valuable skills into classrooms and improve student outcomes in career and technical education. However, there are concerns from some education advocacy groups and legislators regarding the potential dilution of educational standards and the preparedness of teachers entering the profession through non-traditional routes.

Contention

Notable points of contention include discussions around the standards of teacher preparedness and the potential implications for educational quality. Some critics argue that simplifying certification requirements could lead to a decrease in the overall quality of education, as those entering the profession without formal educational training might lack essential pedagogical skills. This has sparked a debate about how best to balance bringing in experienced professionals while maintaining high educational standards within the teaching workforce.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB1874

In certification of teachers, further providing for certificates qualifying persons to teach and providing for special temporary certificate for veterans.

PA SB801

In certification of teachers, further providing for teacher

PA SB393

In professional employees, further providing for qualifications; and, in certification of teachers, further providing for State certificates.

PA HB1067

In professional employees, further providing for qualifications; and, in certification of teachers, further providing for State certificates.

PA HB2493

In certification of teachers, further providing for instructional certificate grade spans and age levels and duties of department.

PA SB1197

In certification of teachers, providing for instructional certificate grade spans and age levels; and making an editorial change.

PA HB1637

In certification of teachers, providing for temporary certification for associate substitute teachers.

PA SB700

In preliminary provisions, providing for advertising and sponsorships; in intermediate units, further providing for school safety and security enhancements; in professional employees, further providing for qualifications; in certification of teachers, further providing for State certificates, for career and technical instruction and for baccalaureate certification basic skills assessment; in Educator Pipeline Support Grant Program, further providing for definitions, for program establishment and duties of agency, for eligibility and for report; in school safety and security, further providing for School Safety and Security Grant Program, for school safety and security coordinator, for Targeted School Safety Grants for Nonpublic Schools and School Entities Program and for school safety and security training and providing for school safety and mental health grants for 2024-2025 school year; in school security, further providing for duties of commission, providing for school security personnel and establishing School Security Personnel Fund; in school security, further providing for duties of commission and providing for school security personnel and for School Security Personnel Fund; in school health services, further providing for vision screening and examinations; in Drug and Alcohol Recovery High School Program, further providing for establishment and payment of tuition; in administrative partnerships between school entities, further providing for legislative intent and for definitions, providing for instructional programming partnerships authorized, for school district feasibility study and for construction and further providing for establishment, for application, for grant awards, for technical assistance, for reports by school entities and for reports by department; in talent recruitment, further providing for Talent Recruitment Account; in charter schools, further providing for definitions, for charter school requirements, for powers of board of trustees, for facilities and for funding for charter schools, providing for funding for cyber charter schools, further providing for enrollment and notification and providing for enrollee wellness checks and for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations; in disability inclusive curriculum, further providing for department responsibilities; in Schools-to-Work-Program, repealing provisions relating to expiration; in community colleges, further providing for financial program and reimbursement of payments; in educational tax credits, further providing for definitions, for qualification and application by organizations, for tax credits and for limitations, repealing provisions relating to opportunity scholarships and providing for economically disadvantaged school scholarships; in course materials at institutions of higher education, repealing provisions relating to College Textbook Policies Advisory Committee; in sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking education, prevention and response at institutions of higher education and private licensed schools, further providing for memorandum of understanding; in miscellaneous provisions relating to institutions of higher education, repealing provisions relating to Public Higher Education Funding Commission; in funding for public libraries, providing for State aid for fiscal year 2024-2025; in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for payments on account of pupils enrolled in career and technical curriculums and for student-weighted basic education funding, providing for student-weighted basic education funding beginning with 2023-2024 school year, further providing for State reimbursement for health services, for payments to intermediate units, for assistance to school districts declared to be in financial recovery status or identified for financial watch status and for Commonwealth reimbursements for charter schools and cyber charter schools, repealing provisions relating to administrative and instructional consolidation incentives and further providing for Ready-to-Learn Block Grant; in State Board of Education, further providing for powers and duties of the board; in construction and renovation of buildings by school entities, further providing for applicability; in School Environmental Repairs Program, further providing for School Environmental Repairs Program Restricted Account and for School Environmental Repairs Program; and making editorial changes.

PA HB1019

Providing for paraprofessional-to-teacher certification program; and establishing the Paraprofessional-To-Teacher Grant Program.

PA HB1395

In certification of teachers, further providing for program of continuing professional and paraprofessional education.

Similar Bills

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TX HB6

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TX SB1481

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TX HB4140

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HI HB388

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HI SB108

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HI SB108

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