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Where can I obtain an
application?
You can obtain an application from any Pennsylvania
school district. Students attending any approved Pennsylvania college or
university of teacher education can obtain a copy from their school. The
Department of Education does not have copies of the application available;
however, you can obtain a copy by downloading it directly from the links above.
Do all Pennsylvania School Districts use the
standard application?
Act 107 of 1996 requires that all school
districts use the application for teaching positions. school districts, however,
are permitted to supplement the application with other application
requirements.
Give me an example of
"other application requirements."
A school district may ask
applicants to complete a supplemental sheet(s) containing additional questions
that were not asked on the standard application.
May I photocopy the application and send it to a number of
school districts?
Yes, the main reason for having a standard
application is to make it easier for applicants to apply to a number of school
districts. However, if you complete the application and make copies please
remember to do the following:
Page 5. You must place the name of the school district
that you are applying to after the words "officials of" in the Certification and
Release Authorization.
You must complete the date and sign the application.
Your signature must be an original signed in ink.
Can the essay be typed or must it
be handwritten?
The essay can be handwritten, typed or prepared on a
computer using word processing software.
On page three in the Student Teaching References section, please clarify whether
school districts want letters of references or evaluations.
Most
school districts want copies of both documents: Letters of reference and the
final student teaching evaluation, if available.
I am currently employed as a teacher. Do I have to complete
the section on student or practice teaching on page three?
No. This
section is to be completed by applicants who have not been previously employed
in a teaching position.
I was employed as
a teacher three years ago. Do I have to complete the section on student or
practice teaching on page three?
Are intermediate units and vocational-technical schools using
the application?
Intermediate units and vocational-technical schools
are not required by Act 107 of 1996 to use the standard application. It is
optional for them to use it. Please contact these organizations to determine if
they are using the standard application.
Is the application to be used for administrative positions or other non-teaching
positions?
No, Act 107 of 1996 only requires that the application be
used by individuals eligible for or in possession of instructional, vocational
instructional, intern or vocational intern teaching certificates. In other
words, the application is only required for teaching positions. It is optional
for school districts to use the application for non-teaching
positions.
I am a U.S. military veteran.
Where can I include this information on the application?
Applicants
who are U.S. military veterans should include that information on page 4 under
the section, "Other Qualifications."
On
page 5 of the application under Act 34 Compliance, I am required to submit a
copy of a report of Criminal History Record Information. How do I go about
getting this?
The School Services Unit in the Department of
Education can send you a packet of information about the Criminal History Record
Information. They can be contacted at (717) 783-3750.
What is the effective date for using the standard
application?
The effective date for using the standard application
was January 1, 1997. An updated form (PDE-353A) was initiated March 1, 1999.
The most recent update is dated July 26, 2001.
Does the
application have to be used for substitute part-time
teachers?
Yes, the application is to be
used for all teaching positions in school districts.
I currently have a Standard Application on file with several
school districts. Since there is a revised version of the application, must I
now submit new applications to these school districts?
The Department of Education has advised school districts
that the revised application is to be given to new applicants, effective March
1, 1999, and it is not necessary or recommended to have current applicants
complete the revised application. However, you may want to check with these
school districts to determine how long your current application will be
maintained in their active recruitment files.