Instructional I to II Certificate

All Certificated Staff:

            The information below is for staff who currently do not hold Level II Certification.  If you are converting your Instructional Level I to an Instructional Level II Certification, please review the information carefully so that you will avoid delays in processing your application.  Also, beginning after September 1, 2011, six of the twenty-four required credits will be areas as specified by PDE. 

* After September 1, 2011, individuals submitting a Level II application must complete six of the 24 required credits in areas as specified by PDE.  CSPG No. 7-Level II Requirements is currently being revised to specify the required credit areas, as well as current policies.  The revised CSPG will be sent to all LEAs and promptly posted on the PDE website upon approval.

 

* Common misconceptions are that the 24 credits required for conversion to a Level II certificate are required to be at the graduate level, and/or earned after the initial PA certificate is issued.  Credits are not required to be at the graduate level, but are required to be earned "post-baccalaureate" (earned after the conferral of the initial Bachelor's degree.)  Credits earned during a post-baccalaureate teacher preparation program are applicable to meet the Level II requirements.  Please encourage new teachers to review the Level II Instruction Booklet posted on the PDE website before enrolling in, or taking Level II related coursework.  The booklet specifically details what specific credits are acceptable, or unacceptable, for Level II conversion.

 

* The PDE 338 P form is often submitted with incomplete or incorrect information which results in significant delays.  Before the LEA returns the PDE 338 P form to the applicant, please ensure:

 

1. Each assignment listed on the form has an end date, or "to present", etc.

 

2. The percentage of service per day/week block is completed, even if the individual is serving 100% of the day/week in the assignment.

 

3. Each subject area the individual has been assigned to during the period of service must be listed in the "Assignment" box. "All subjects" is acceptable for Special Ed. and Elementary certified teachers.  However, the form must include the specific subjects assigned for all other certificates. (Ex: A teacher holds a Social Studies certificate: Her assignment for 2008-2009 was Geography, Grade 9.  Enter "Geography" in the "Assignment" box.)

 

4. If an educator has served in multiple areas during the service year (i.e., Elementary Ed. and Special Ed.), include a short explanation on the bottom of the form. Each specific certification area should be listed, including the beginning/ending dates of assignment and percentage of time (per day or per week), etc. served in each certification area.

 

5. A job description must be submitted with the form if the assignment is locally titled.

 

6. The grade level of the assignment, not the grade scope of the certificate, is entered in the "Grade Level of Assignment" block. (Ex:  A teacher holds a certificate for English 7-12.  He was assigned to teach English Literature in Grade 10 for the 2009-2010 school year.  Enter "10th grade" in the block.)

 

7. The Chief School Administrator (CSA), or official designee, must indicate whether or not the service was satisfactory by checking and initialing the recommendation blocks and signing the form.   Principals are not permitted to sign the PDE 338 P form on behalf of the CSA unless they are an official designee.

 

Thank you for your continued cooperation.  Together we can ensure that Level II applications are processed and issued in a timely manner. Level II documents may be located on the PDE website at: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/education/programs-and-services/educators/certification/current-pa-educators/level-i-to-level-ii.html.   If you have additional questions, you may contact the Division of Certification Services at (717) 787-3356.