Description: 

Act 13 requires a deep understanding of the supervision and evaluative process. School leaders need to be positioned to engage in supervision and evaluation with knowledge, skills, and confidence whether new to the leadership role or experienced. Act 13 and Beyond: School Leaders Driving Instructional Excellence is designed to underscore the importance of the supervision and evaluation model for elevating classroom instruction and building faculty capacity.

NOTE: This course satisfies the Act 13 requirements for new Assistant/Vice Principals and Principals.

Prerequisite: None

Number of Weeks: N/A

Virtual Session Information: 3 full days

Act 45 Hours: 30 (awarded after completion of all 3 days)

Available registration coming soon. Please check the SAS PD Center in August or September to see registration for course. 

Description: This course focuses on the strategic integration of AI technologies such as ChatGPT into educational settings. It thoroughly explores generative AI, covering fundamental concepts, practical applications in education, and important ethical considerations. It is designed to equip school leaders with the necessary knowledge and skills to guide their organizations through the effective adoption and application of AI tools.

Critical questions addressed include the enhancement of teaching and learning through AI, essential AI terminology, and the ethical frameworks that should guide its use. Participants will learn to support their staff in integrating AI tools effectively, creating an environment that aligns innovative teaching practices with educational objectives.

Prerequisite: None

Number of Weeks: 8

Virtual Session Information: 2 half days

Act 45 Hours: 30

Description: This course is the third in a three-part series on data, available to school leaders who have successfully completed both Foundations: Data to Action and School Level: Data to Action.

School leaders will explore two prongs of data use at the classroom level: how classroom teachers can use data effectively to enhance outcomes for all students; and how school leaders can support, guide, and monitor teachers’ use of data in their daily planning and decision-making. This course examines the use of demographic, perceptual, process, and student learning data at the classroom level to address classroom learning, climate, and culture. This course includes a practical guide for implementing data meetings that address individual students, going deeper to establish a personalized focus.

Prerequisite: Foundations: Data to Action and School Level: Data to Action

Number of Weeks: 8

Virtual Session Information: 1 full day

Act 45 Hours: 30

Description:

In this course, school leaders will consider how to support educational excellence by creating a culture of teaching and learning that emphasizes collaboration, communication, engagement, and the empowerment of school board members, teachers, students, families, and community members. With the context of a shared mission, vision, and goals, school leaders will explore and evaluate the social, economic, political, and educational factors that influence the range of possible improvement scenarios for their schools.

Prerequisite: None

Number of Weeks: 8

Virtual Session Information: Two half days

Act 45 Hours: 30

Description: 

Comprehensive Mental Health for School Leaders (1) is designed to help school leaders understand the core components of comprehensive school mental health as they engage in a planning process around implementation of services. The course focuses on a comprehensive school mental health curriculum and several core features of effective school mental health initiatives.

Participants will examine a range of supports and services that promote positive school climate, social emotional learning, mental health, and well-being, while reducing the prevalence and severity of mental illness. This course examines ways to build or improve a foundation of district and school professionals, including administrators and educators, specialized instructional support personnel in strategic partnership with students, families, and community health and mental health partners. Participants will focus on ways to assess and address the social and environmental factors that impact health and mental health.

Prerequisite: None

Number of Weeks: 10

Virtual Session Information: 1 full day

Act 45 Hours: 30

Description: Comprehensive Mental Health for School Leaders in Action (2) is the second course in the PIL Blended Mental Health set. Participants will focus on the next steps for the SHAPE assessment and how to move from theory into practice. The course focuses on what action steps school leaders will take—based on successes and lessons learned—to drive systematic change within their schools or districts. Self-care, purposeful implementation, opportunities for reflection, and the benefits of networking are emphasized.

Prerequisite: Comprehensive Mental Health for School Leaders (1)

Number of Weeks: 8

Virtual Session Information: 2 half days

Act 45 Hours: 30

Description: Continuous Improvement I: Get Up and Running with the Essentials focuses on systematically guiding staff through the change process while positively impacting the culture and performance of the school. Participants will explore continuous improvement, designed by and for PA schools and school leaders, as a process requiring collaboration, innovation, and action. While reviewing each step of the cycle of continuous improvement, participants will be introduced to tools and strategies aligned with the phases of the cycle, including monitoring the implementation and the effectiveness of plans. These strategies shift teams from planning to improve implementing their plans and demonstrating improvement, which will lead to actualizing their vision.

Prerequisite: None

Number of Weeks: 8

Virtual Session Information: 1 full day

Act 45 Hours: 30

Description: Equitable Education for All Students: Why Leadership Matters (1) is designed to enhance rural, suburban, and urban educator effectiveness to improve academic achievement and promote equitable schools and districts. Using a framework with an emphasis on prevention, response, and recovery, course activities will prepare all school leaders to plan, implement, and sustain a culture of equity in their school environments. Modeling effective practices, conducting needs assessments, composing plans for stakeholder buy-in and support, creating a shared identity, communicating effectively, exploring the roles of academic and disciplinary equity, and applying data to improve and sustain equitable practices are among the topics that school leaders will examine during the course experience. Important: In this course, participants will use existing or new school climate survey data.

Prerequisite: None

Number of Weeks: 12

Virtual Session Information: 2 full days

Act 45 Hours: 45

Description: 

Foundations: Data to Action (1) is the first in a rigorous three-course series designed to equip school leaders with the knowledge, skills, and practices they need to create and sustain an effective data culture in their schools. This course will explore the various types of data, the types of data, the benefits of using data, and the basic structures and processes that must be in place for administrators to be successful in promoting and sustaining a data-driven school culture.

Note: Activities in early courses will be re-visited in later courses. As a result, all courses in this series must be taken sequentially.

Prerequisite: None

Number of Weeks: 8

Virtual Session Information: 1 full day

Act 45 Hours: 30

Description: In an effort to elevate teaching and learning, the instructional leader must lead with purpose and intention in an environment built upon trust, equity, efficacy, and continuous improvement! The school leaders will explore the many ways they can enact instructional leadership designed to elevate teaching and learning. In this course, you will engage in a thoughtful examination of the research, a consideration of your specific school context, reflection on your current leadership practices, and ultimately, a consideration of this question: How can I align my leadership behaviors and actions with the best of what research has to share on effective school leadership?

Prerequisite: 

ONE of the following must be satisfied:

Successfully completed Act 13 & Beyond: School Leaders Driving Instructional Excellence

OR

Currently hold Administrative Level II Certification

Number of Weeks: N/A

Virtual Session Information: 3 full days

Act 45 Hours: 30 (awarded after completion of all 3 days)

Description:  

School Level: Data to Action is the second course in a three-part series. This course allows school leaders to build upon their work in Course 1 (Foundations: Data to Action), which provided participants with a solid foundational knowledge of the types, purposes, and sources of data.

This second course provides participants with the tools needed to establish and refine school-level use of data through the development and enhancement of various processes, procedures and structures which promote a data driven culture at the school level. Emphasis in the course is on the design and use of a school assessment map, the development of various types of data teams, and the use of a structured data inquiry cycle to facilitate effective root cause analysis and action planning. Throughout this course, school leaders will have opportunities to network and collaborate with others to enhance and/or create procedures and processes in place at their schools.

Prerequisite: Foundations: Data to Action (1)

Number of Weeks: 8

Virtual Session Information: 1 full day

Act 45 Hours: 30

Description: Communication is the foundational underpinning of successful relationships and leadership.  Clear, focused, and strategic communication with built-in feedback loops assists leaders in executing their vision and managing the continuous improvement process.  This course explores core communication processes, typical correspondence, crisis communications, methods to engage multiple audiences, and opportunities for new communication structures.  Equipped with communication strategies, a variety of communication modes, appropriate media, and an organized communication plan, school leaders will shape their current practices and enhance their skills for improved leadership.

Prerequisite: None

Number of Weeks: 8

Virtual Session Information: 1 full day

Act 45 Hours: 30

Description: Student Career Readiness: Foundations for School Leaders is designed to help school and district leaders understand the rapidly changing nature of work and the Pennsylvania, U.S. and global workforce needs. Leaders will build knowledge of educational delivery systems, policies, structures, and strategies related to career development and career preparation. Specifically, this course will help leaders K-12 school and district leaders will learn how to implement the Career Education Work Standards, meet the Future Ready PA Index Career Readiness Indicators, develop plans to strengthen employer and community partnerships to support career education, increase communication and collaboration with career and technical education administrators, and examine strategies and best practices in career connected learning.

Prerequisite: None

Number of Weeks: 8

Virtual Session Information: 1 full day

Act 45 Hours: 30

Description:  In Transforming Organizations, participants will develop and enhance the skills and knowledge they need to transform their organizations. When transforming organizations, school leaders must develop a clear vision and collaborative culture. In order to successfully transform organizations, a change in mindset must occur. Transformative change is persistent, purposeful, and intentional. Communication of the intent for transformation, as seen in revised visions, norms, values, expectations, and goals, is essential to enable transformative change. Successful transformative leaders recognize individual and collective contributions and utilize failure as an opportunity to improve school culture and student performance. When navigating systemic transformation, school leaders need to seamlessly integrate digital technologies that support all aspects of the process.

Prerequisite: None

Number of Weeks: 8

Virtual Session Information: 1 full day

Act 45 Hours: 30

Please visit PDE’s one-stop-shop for more information on Act 45 and PIL courses. To sign up for courses, visit the SAS PD Center.

An Act 45 administrator is defined as those in one of the following positions:

·        Assistant/Vice Principal

·        Principal

·        Assistant Superintendent

·        Superintendent

·        Assistant Executive Director

·        Executive Director

·        Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director

Educators who hold an Administrative I certificate but are NOT currently serving in an Act 45 position are NOT required to participate in administrative induction courses or earn Act 45 credit hours. They will receive Act 48 credit for any courses taken.

Assistant CTE Director

The legislation doesn’t include the title of Assistant CTE Director; therefore, Assistant CTE Directors do not need to complete Act 45 hours. However, please know Assistant CTE Directors are invited to take Act 45 courses as they are a leader in your building. These courses will then count toward Act 48 hours.

Currently the process is the same and outlined on PDE’s website, PIL ITQ Application and Instructions (pa.gov). Before sending out the application, the provider is verified that they are an Act 48 provider. If they are, then the Act 45 application is sent. If they are not, then they must first complete the Act 48 application.

Your application must be renewed every 3 years from the time it was approved. Our complete list of providers can be found on our website, Continuing Professional Education (pa.gov). Please review your approval dates, PDE suggests applying 60-90 days prior to the expiration date of 3 years. You should receive an email and a letter 90 days prior to expiration. However, if you don’t, you can use the Continuing Professional Education list to signal when it is time for renewal.

As a reminder, Act 45 Providers must be approved as Act 48 Providers first. If you need to begin that process or renew, please contact RA-EDAct48APP@pa.gov.

If you wish to register for free Act 45 courses, PDE has an online registration system, found in the SAS PD Center. Continue to check back for additional offerings. PDE maintains a list of Approved Providers who offer courses. Please note, a fee may be required for the courses.

Please visit PDE’s one-stop-shop for more information on Act 45.

Log into the SAS PD Center and withdraw from the class. Choose My Classrooms from the drop-down menu. Under options, choose Withdraw. Rosters will then reflect the change.

Only approved providers of approved courses can upload Act 45 hours. Approved Providers can be found on our website, Continuing Professional Education (pa.gov).

The annual school/district PIMS staffing assignment report informs PERMS that an administrator is no longer serving in an Act 45 position. 

When that occurs, the number of Act 45 hours originally assigned to the administrator for that continuing education period may be reduced due to the reduction of prorated years of service in an Act 45 position (e.g., An educator who served as a principal for 2.5 years during the continuing education period would only be required to complete 90 Act 45 hours).

Additional Act 45 hours will not be required until the administrator returns to an Act 45 position. If the former administrator begins a new continuing education period, there will be no assignment of Act 45 hours on the PERMS record. The person will need only Act 48 credit hours to keep all certificates active.

If the administrator did not complete the Act 45 hours assigned for the period actually served, the hours must be completed after they move to the non-Act 45 position (before the end of the current continuing education period) to keep the administrative certificate active.

The Department of Education has issued a routine Request for Proposal (RFP) for the statewide Pennsylvania Inspired Leadership (PIL) induction program contract. The RFP promises some exciting new opportunities and user-friendly options for all participants who participate in the PIL induction program after September 30, 2024, when the new contract is awarded. Therefore, assistant or vice principals and principals can begin signing up for induction courses once the new vendor is selected.

Induction courses beginning in October 2024 will be listed on the Department’s new online registration system as soon as the vendor is selected. The registration system is found in the SAS PD Center.

All induction courses will help to fulfill the Act 45-hour requirement. Each Act 45 administrator will need to monitor hours to ensure completion within compliance period; log into PERMS to monitor hours and view the continuing education (CE) transcript.

Administrators who were not able to complete the NCEE induction program will be able to transfer hours and credits to the new induction program regardless of the provider.

By completing NCEE courses 1 & 2, an administrator has completed the required induction program. Course 3 was an optional course which is no longer available.

Visit PERMS to view continuing education (CE) hours and a transcript of course completion. Enter your PPID to access record, click on View CE Details to view continuing education transcript of courses completed.

Courses in PERMS, should be listed as Act 45 Professional Development, but unfortunately, they are not. However, we are updating the language to make it less confusing. In the future, you will see Act 45 Professional Development under Course/Activity Type. However, for now, it will read Act 48 Professional Development Activity and then PA Inspired Leadership (PIL). This is because Act 45 hours count toward your Act 48 requirement. If you see PA Inspired Leadership (PIL) in the last column of your transcript, then the course was uploaded as Act 45 credit.

It is unnecessary to inactivate your certificate when retiring.

An educator is listed as RETIRED at the PDE, as reported by PSERS/retirement agency whenever the individual removes any or all retirement funds or transfers to another retirement agency:

• Act 48/45 requirements are suspended under Act 5 of 2006.
• The Act 48/45 time period/calendar ceases to advance even if hours are completed.
• Certificate remains or becomes ACTIVE under RETIRED status at the PDE during this suspension of Act 48 requirements.

To return to PA public school service, remove RETIRED status from your certificate records and re-start your Act 48/45 period:

1.      Educator must ensure their district submits a completed “Retirees Returning to Service” form (PSRS-1299) to PSERS, available on PSERS’ website.

2.      Educator must complete 180 working days of employment in PA public school.

3.      PDE requires documentation from school district confirming the following dates:

·        The exact start date of retirement--mm/dd/yyyy

·        The exact date of return to PA public school employment--mm/dd/yyyy

·        The exact date of 180 working days completed after return to PA public school employment—mm/dd/yyyy

Send information via email to RA-EDACT48@PA.GOV.

Act 5-2006 amends Act 48-1999 Professional Development Requirements for Retirees

This important announcement pertains to all current and future Pennsylvania professional public school retirees (annuitants) and employing school entities with responsibilities for continuing professional education required by Act 48-1999 Professional Development.

Act 5-2006 was passed February 3, 2006, to amend Section 1205.2 of the School Code, Program of Continuing Professional Education (known as “Act 48-1999”) and became effective April 3, 2006.

Act 5-2006 provides as follows:

1.      Department of Education online continuing professional education courses will be made available at no charge to all professional educators.

2.      Act 48-1999 requirements will be suspended for all annuitants who do not return to school service.

3.      All annuitants’ certificates will be considered active during the suspension of Act 48-1999 requirements.

4.      A professional educator annuitant who returns to school service in a full-time position or in a day-to-day or long-term substitute position and continues in school service for more than 180 days, cumulatively, must fulfill the requirements of Act 48 beginning with the 181st day of the annuitant’s return to school service.

5.      In accordance with the Regulatory Review Act, the Department will issue a standard requiring the tracking and reporting of active service of annuitants.

If an administrator was new to an Act 45 position as of the most recent school year, the administrator will see the past year’s job assignment listed in TIMS by the end of July. At that time, PERMS will reflect the job assignments accordingly, and the administrator will see Act 45 listed as a separate line item. Any Act 45 courses that will be taken will also be listed under that heading.

For example, if an educator becomes a building principal in 2024-2025, the new job assignment in TIMS and PERMS will be adjusted by mid-August 2025. 

PIMS coordinators enter job assignments. If this is incorrect, please have your chief school administrator email RA-EDACT45@pa.gov with an official letter stating your correct job assignment and years that you were in that position. Please contact your PIMS coordinator to ensure that job descriptions are accurate.