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Training Program Provider Application Guide

Introduction

Beginning in the 2018-2019 school year and in each year thereafter, school board directors and charter school trustees will be required to complete training programs in accordance with Section 328 of the Public School Code.1  To ensure access to high quality training programs, a listing of approved training programs will be posted online.  Training Providers wishing to provide board director and/or charter school trustee training programs, must be approved by the Department of Education.

  1. What types of entities may develop and offer these training programs?
    School Board Directors - School districts, intermediate units, postsecondary institutions, and statewide education organizations may offer PDE-approved training programs to school board directors.

    Charter School Trustees - Charter schools (including regional and cyber charter schools), school districts, intermediate units, postsecondary institutions, statewide education organizations, and statewide education organizations representing charter schools may offer PDE-approved training programs to charter school trustees.

    No entity may provide the training programs required under Act 55 without PDE approval.

  2. What topics must be covered within the training programs?

    Initial Training Program

    ​School Board Director ​Charter School Trustee
    • Minimum of five (5) hours of instruction and must cover: Instruction and academic programs;
    • Personnel;
    • Fiscal management;
    • Operations;
    • Governance; and Ethics and open Meetings, inclusive of the requirements under 65 Pa.C.S. Pt. II (relating to accountability).
    • Trauma-Informed Care (one-hour)

    • Minimum of five (5) hours of instruction and must cover: Article XVII-A (The Pennsylvania Charter School Law);
    • Instruction and academic programs;
    • Personnel;
    • Fiscal management;
    • Operations;
    • Governance; and Ethics and open Meetings, inclusive of the requirements under 65 Pa.C.S. Pt. II (relating to accountability).
    • Trauma-Informed Care (one-hour)

    Advanced Training Program

    ​School Board Director ​Charter School Trustee
    • Minimum of three (3) hours of instruction and must cover: Relevant changes to Federal and State public school law and regulations;
    • Fiscal management; and
    • Other information deemed appropriate by PDE to enable the board director to serve effectively.
    • Trauma-Informed Care (one-hour)
    • Minimum of three (3) hours of instruction and must cover: Relevant changes to Federal and State public school law and regulations;
    • Fiscal management; and
    • Other information deemed appropriate by PDE to enable the charter school trustee to serve effectively.
    • Trauma-Informed Care (one-hour)​​
    1. How may entities become approved training providers? 

      Entities that seek to become PDE-approved Act 55 training providers may complete and submit the Training Provider Application available on the PDE website to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Division of Planning, by emailing RA-EDDOP@pa.gov.  Training program approval is valid for a term of four years, after which time, entities that seek to remain approved providers, must resubmit a Training Provider Application.
    1. What are the Training Provider Application requirements?

      Cover Page-The first page of the application is a cover page. All requested information on the cover page must be completed. A separate application must be completed for each proposed training program.

      Program Information- All requested program information must be completed.  This information includes:
    • Program Title
    • Program Description- This should be a clear and concise description of the proposed training program. 
    • Number of Actual Contact Hours with Participants- The initial training program must consist of a minimum of four hours of instruction.   The advanced training programs must consist of a minimum of two hours of instruction. 
    • Mode of Delivery- Act 55 training programs may be made available through online or other distance learning media or through regional-based training.  Check off the box that corresponds to the mode of delivery specific to the proposed training program.
    • Program Cost-Specify if program cost is per individual or per program.  Additionally, if program will be offered at varying costs due to intended audiences, a separate application must be submitted for proposed program.
    • Intended Audience- Specify the intended audience for this proposed program.  If the proposed program may only be offered to a specific population, this must be disclosed here.
    • Initial Training Program Requirements- Specify which of the program requirements are met by the proposed program.  Applicants may cover all requirements in one training program.
    • Advanced Training Program Requirements- Specify which of the program requirements are met by the proposed program.  Applicants may cover all requirements in one training program.

    Program Specific Responses- Applicants must respond to each prompt in a clear and concise manner.  When asked to provide evidence, applicants may include attachments in place of, or in addition to, their narrative responses.

    Required Attachments- Applicants must include a complete training agenda, samples of materials utilized during the training program, the session evaluation instrument, and a certificate of completion for attendees.

    The Pennsylvania Department of Education reserves the right to audit course content and to withdraw provider approval for noncompliance with legal requirements. 

    Questions regarding this guide can be directed to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Division of Planning, by emailing RA-EDDOP@pa.gov.

    124 P.S. §§ 3-328(a) and 3-328(b)