YSCP Teachers and Certification

My Concerns:

YSCP employs at least 6 uncertified teachers and 4 uncertified assistant teachers. Further, YSCP employs 4 teachers who are not certified to teach the grades they are instructing.

Does Certification matter?

It does to me. Becoming certified in Pennsylvania represents a commitment to education and to the profession of teaching. Not only does it demonstrate that the teacher has studied and worked to learn their trade, but it also shows a respect for the law. While I don't think that being certified in Pennsylvania guarantees a person will be a good teacher, I believe it is a good way to start.

But, YSCP is a charter school. Shouldn't that allow it to be more flexible?

Perhaps. The Charter school law allows some leeway regarding teacher certification. PA Act 22 (The Charter School law) reads: "AT LEAST SEVENTY-FIVE PER CENTUM OF THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF MEMBERS OF A CHARTER SCHOOL SHALL HOLD APPROPRIATE STATE CERTIFICATION."

However, that law further requires that:

"EACH CHARTER APPLICATION SHALL LIST THE GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO STAFF ANY NONCERTIFIED POSITIONS. PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES WHO DO NOT HOLD APPROPRIATE PENNSYLVANIA CERTIFICATION MUST . . . . HAVE DEMONSTRATED . . . QUALIFICATIONS AS DEFINED IN THE CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATION."

So, a charter school can have 25% of its teachers uncertified so long as they meet other qualifications spelled out in the school's charter.

What does YSCP's charter say about PA certification?

The YSCP charter begins by reiterating the law:

"At least 75% of the proposed faculty must be comprised of PDE certified teachers in their respective disciplines. It it the goal of the School to have a significantly higher percentage of certified teachers." (YSCP Charter p. 269)

Sounds great. What specific qualifications does the YSCP charter specify for teacher?

“All staff will meet state certification requirements.”(YSCP Charter Appendix E, 7) The charter goes further to describe a teacher’s minimum qualifications to include, “Bachelors degree and certification in assigned area.” (YSCP Charter Appendix E, 8-9). Note that the above references ALL teachers, as Lead Teacher qualifications are listed separately (beginning on p. 12) and include further requirements.

Why does the charter give two standards for certification?

I don't know, because I didn't write the charter, but it seems to me that the first standard (75%) is given as an assurance that YSCP will follow the law. The second statements come from the section of the charter specifically pertaining to teacher qualifications. This is the place where the charter writers could have outlined a different set of qualifications for those who would not have PA certification. They did not, but instead promised that “All staff will meet state certification requirements.”(YSCP Charter Appendix E, 7).

Which rule is YSCP following? 75% certification or All Staff will meet state certification?

By my math, neither. I count a teaching staff of 29 with only 21 (or 72%) certified.

But what if you only count subject teachers, not assistants?

Unfortunately, then it gets worse! I count 22 subject teachers with only 15 (or 68%) certified.

Where are you getting your numbers?

I submitted a request for the certification information under Pennsylvania's Right to Know law. At the top of this post is the chart provided to me by the school.

If Pennsylvania Certification is required by the school's charter and by PA law, why aren't YSCP's teachers certified?

This question has been brought to the YSCP Board of Trustees several times, but I haven't heard an answer that makes sense to me. I recommend you read the minutes of their meetings (or attend them yourself) if you would like a better answer to this question.