HB 1401 Pennsylvania House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in certification of teachers, providing for educator preparation admission.

House Bill 1401 amends the Public School Code of 1949 by establishing new admission requirements for educator preparation programs. It mandates that applicants for initial preparation programs leading to a bachelor's degree must have completed at least 48 college credit hours with a minimum 2.8 GPA. Applicants for alternative programs must hold a bachelor's degree with a 2.8 GPA, and advanced program applicants need a 2.8 GPA along with professional recommendations. Preparing institutions may admit up to 10% of initial preparation applicants who do not meet the GPA requirement, provided other eligibility criteria are met. These provisions directly affect individuals aspiring to become teachers and the institutions that train them.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced May 5, 2025 Last action May 12, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Printer's No. PN1600 Printer's No. PN1683 · 4 edits
MODERATE
This bill revision expands who must comply with educator preparation admission standards by adding 'alternative program providers' to the list of entities subject to the requirements. It also adds a specific mandate that alternative program providers ensure applicants have completed a bachelor's degree with a 2.8 GPA, while removing the original language that only applied to preparing institutions.
Scope change
The bill's scope now includes alternative program providers in addition to preparing institutions, broadening the entities subject to educator preparation admission requirements.
SCOPE

Added 'OR AN ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM PROVIDER' to expand the entities required to recruit and admit applicants meeting specific academic standards.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement stating alternative program providers must ensure applicants have completed a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.8 GPA.

DEFINITION

Added a definition for 'ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM PROVIDER' referencing 22 Pa. Code § 49.1.

TECHNICAL

Removed the original bill text that only referenced 'preparing institution' without including alternative program providers.

Floor votes

How they voted

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Amendments
1
May 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported as amended
lower
May 5, 2025
Committee
Referred to Education
lower
1 primary · 15 co-sponsors

Sponsors