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of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    State Board of Education

    Regulations

    The State Board of Education works closely with the Department of Education, state policymakers, educators, and other interested stakeholders to review, develop and adopt regulations that govern significant components of both basic and higher education in the Commonwealth.

    Here you will find information about regulations currently under review by the Board.

    Chapter 4 (Academic Standards and Assessment)

    Academic Standards for Arts and Humanities and Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education

    The Board's Committee on Academic Standards/Chapter 4 (Committee) is designated by the State Board of Education (Board) to oversee issues related to academic standards and assessment that are governed by the regulations at 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4 and to recommend amendments to Chapter 4.

    The Committee is leading periodic reviews of the academic standards promulgated by the Board in Chapter 4.  At present, the Academic Standards for Arts and Humanities and the Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education are open for review.

    At its meeting on November 13, 2024, the Committee requested that the Department of Education serve in partnership to support this effort by engaging educators and other content experts in an initial review of the standards.  Through that consultation with external stakeholders, the Committee requested that the Department develop recommendations on whether the standards should be revised and, if so, formulate draft amendments to the standards for consideration by the Committee.

    A memo that reflects the Committee's request of the Department. (PDF)

    The Committee met again on March 12, 2025, to consider nominations for individuals to serve on academic standards review committees.  Membership of the standards review teams appointed by the Committee are listed below.

    The Committee anticipates receiving recommendations from the Academic Standards Review Committees in early 2026.

    Accreditation of Pennsylvania Public Postsecondary Career and Technical Education

    The U.S. Department of Education recognizes the Pennsylvania State Board of Career and Technical Education (SBCTE) as a reliable authority for the approval of public postsecondary career and technical education (CTE) in the Commonwealth.  Through this recognition, the SBCTE serves as an accreditor of certain non-degree granting adult education programs at career and technical centers in Pennsylvania.

    Information about the accreditation system, along with a list of current accredited institutions, is available on the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s website: Accreditation System for Public Postsecondary Career and Technical Education

    In January of 2026, the Board’s Career and Technical Education Committee (CTE Committee) announced a new effort to: 1) promulgate regulations that will formalize the current Accreditation Guidelines for Pennsylvania Public Postsecondary Career and Technical Education and 2) identify metrics that the SBCTE may utilize to measure whether adult education programs at institutions accredited by the SBCTE are meeting their intended goals.

    To inform this work, the CTE Committee appointed an external Advisory Committee on Public Postsecondary Career and Technical Education Metrics to develop recommendations on the metrics the SBCTE may consider adopting to measure program outcomes.  The Advisory Committee was comprised of practitioners in career and technical education, workforce development professionals, and leaders within state government.  

    Advisory Committee on Public Postsecondary Career and Technical Education Metrics

    Recommendations from the Advisory Committee were delivered to the SBCTE in May.  The CTE Committee will hold a public hearing on July 9 to accept testimony both on the recommended metrics and on draft regulations for the accreditation of public postsecondary career and technical education programs.  The CTE Committee also will accept written comments from individuals who are unable to attend the public hearing.  Hearing details, including the registration deadlines, and materials that will be the subject of the hearing are linked below.

    Public Hearing on Draft Regulations for the Accreditation of Public Postsecondary Career and Technical Education (PDF)

    Draft Regulations for the Accreditation of Public Postsecondary Career and Technical Education (PDF)

    Adult Accreditation Metrics Committee Update and Recommendations (PDF)