Introduction
Effective leadership is one of the most important predictors of student success in school. 24 P.S. §12-. 1205.5 reflects Pennsylvania's commitment to excellent leadership in education by focusing all professional development on the nine Pennsylvania Leadership Standards (PDF).
The law requires all school and system leaders (defined as principal, assistant or vice principal, superintendent, assistant superintendent, intermediate unit executive director, intermediate unit assistant executive director, and AVTS (CTC) director) to meet their Act 45 continuing professional education requirements through programs addressing the three core and the six corollary standards. PDE is required to provide a program of Continuing Professional Education for School and System Leaders at no cost to the individual or their school entity.
All principals and assistant principals employed after January 1, 2008, are required to complete a Principal Induction Program that addresses the three core standards. PDE is required to provide a program at no cost to individuals or their school entities. Required participation is limited to 36 in-class hours during the school year and no more than 108 hours over the entire Principal Induction Program.
Act 45 Application Process
PDE is required to approve other providers for the Principals' Induction Program and the Continuing Professional Education for School and System Leaders and must annually publish the list of approved programs and conferences. Approved programs and conferences may charge a fee or tuition for the professional development that they offer.
The Department seeks proposals from educational entities for consideration as defined by the legislation. Successful applicants will meet the specifications outlined below. Approved programs may be offered for a period of three (3) years and conferences approved for a period of 1 year.
NOTE: All entities or individuals that intend to offer Act 45 professional development must seek approval through the application process and must already be an Approved Provider of Act 48. Any entity or individual that is not an Approved Provider of Act 48 must first apply and be approved for Act 48. To request an application to become an Approved Provider of Act 48, contact RA-EDACT48APP@pa.gov.
Entities eligible to submit Act 45 programs or conferences through the Act 45 Application process include:
- institutions of higher education
- intermediate units
- school districts
- professional associations
- non-profit organizations
- corporations, partnerships, or limited liability companies
- sole proprietors (individuals)
An ACT 45 application may be requested via RA-EDACT45@pa.gov. Before an application is sent, PDE will confirm Act 48 status. See NOTE above for detail on becoming an Act 48 provider.
Proposals may be submitted for programs or conferences and must meet the following guidelines:
A program, a series of related professional development learning sessions with a common theme and a results-based focus conducted over time, requires a minimum of 10 hours and cannot exceed 90 hours, inclusive of related, job-embedded assignments. Approved program proposals are valid for three (3) years.
A conference, a series of professional learning strands focused on a specific topic, requires a minimum of 10 hours and cannot exceed 90 hours, inclusive of related, job-embedded assignments. A culminating activity is required: an evaluated final project that aligns to the learning objectives of the conference. Approved conference proposals are valid for one (1) year.
Principal Induction Courses must thoroughly address the three Core Leadership Standards and provide rich and rigorous content, with sharp focus of guiding new assistant/vice principals or principals. Participation is limited to 36 in-class hours during the school year and no more than 108 hours over the entire Principal Induction Program. Training may be provided by offering more than one course; however, a separate application must be submitted for each course.
Continuing Professional Education for School and System Leaders programs or conferences must be designed to help leaders develop the knowledge and understanding required to create and continuously improve standards-aligned instructional systems, create and improve a data-driven culture (e.g., Value Added Measures, Future Ready Comprehensive Planning (FRCPP), Future Ready PA Index, design professional learning communities, and focus on results-driven planning.
The Approval Process
A separate Act 45 Application must be submitted for each program or conference. Proposals must address all criteria requested in the Act 45 application incomplete applications will be returned for resubmission.
Entities are notified of the review session results within 30 days. If approved, the professional development information will be posted on the Approved Non-PIL Act 45 Courses website. Note that approved applications must be advertised and offered using the submitted title of program or conference.
Proposals not meeting the Act 45 application requirements will be returned to the applicant; it will identify the areas to be revised and resubmitted. Resubmissions must occur within 30 days of receipt of the revision request email.
Send questions to RA-EDACT45@pa.gov.