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of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    Codes and Regulations

    Regulatory Agenda

    Under Executive Order 1996-1, all agencies under the Governor's jurisdiction are required to compile and publish regulations under development or consideration.

    Career & Technical Education

    • Chapter 339
      The Pennsylvania Code is an official publication of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It contains regulations and other documents filed with the Legislative Reference Bureau under the act of July 31, 1968 (P. L. 769, No. 240) (45 P. S. §§ 1102, 1201—1208 and 1602) and 45 Pa.C.S. Chapters 5, 7 and 9, known as the Commonwealth Documents Law (CDL). It consists of 55 titles. Title 22 directs Education; Chapter 339 directs Career and Technical Education. Chapter 339 - Rules and Regulations - Title 22-Education (relating to career and technical education) - as in the Pennsylvania Bulletin - Effective date - May 31, 2008.
    • National Standards for Business Education Cross-Referenced With PA Academic Standards
      As educators have worked with the Pennsylvania academic standards and the national business education standards, they noted that there are areas where relationships exist between the two sets of standards. In some cases, Pennsylvania standards could be met while also meeting business education standards. For this reason, representatives from the field of business, computer, and information technology worked to cross reference the Pennsylvania academic standards for reading, writing, speaking, and listening; mathematics, science and technology; economics; civics and government; and career education and work with national standards for business education. As resources permit, the other standard areas may also be cross-referenced with the business education standards.

    Private Licen​sed Schools

    The Private Licensed Schools Act, Act 174 of 1986, created the State Board of Licensed Schools with the authority to license and regulate private career and trade schools. The intent of the legislation is to protect student records, facilitate the investigation of complaints, provide for enforcement action, and facilitate the collection of statistical data on private licensed schools.

    The purpose of the Board's regulations is to (1) establish minimum standards and procedures for licensing and registration of schools; (2) determine levels and forms of financial responsibility; (3) establish procedures for denial, suspension, or revocation of licenses or registrations; (4) establish qualifications for instructors and administrators; and (5) establish procedures for the imposition of penalties. The Department of Education provides administrative support to implement the Board's regulations.​

    Basic Education Circulars

    A Basic Education Circular (BEC) provides the Department of Education's guidance on the implementation of law, regulation and policy. This includes Purdon's Statutes, Federal Codes, PA Codes, US Codes.

    Explore Basic Education Circulars (BECs)

    Child Labor Law

    The Pennsylvania Child Labor Law (CLL) was enacted to "provide for the health, safety, and welfare of minors by forbidding their employment or work in certain establishments and occupations, and under certain specified ages."

    Background Checks

    Pennsylvania School Law requires that all applicants for employment in public and private schools, employees of independent contractors seeking business with public and private schools, and student teacher candidates undergo background checks if they will have direct contact with students.