Reps. Applaud PA Budget Inclusion Of Dance Teacher Certification Bill

HARRISBURG — Bipartisan legislation that was designed to create a direct path to dance teacher certification in the commonwealth has been approved as part of the 2022-23 Pennsylvania budget.

State Rep. Joe Ciresi, a Democrat from Montgomery County, and State Rep. R. Lee James, a Venango County Republican, were the sponsors of House Bill 2678.

Related: Reps. Introduce Legislation To Modernize Dance Teacher Certification

The two legislators announced this week that their measure to create a path for instructors to be directly certified in dance as opposed to merely getting certified in communications or physical/vocational education, was included in the budget, meaning the Pennsylvania Public School Code must now include a provision directing the state Department of Education to develop an instructional certificate in pre-K through 12th grade dance.

"Our legislation sought to improve Pennsylvania's dance programs by requiring discipline-specific education in dance for new teachers," Ciresi said in a statement. "Now, there will be a clear path to certification for dance teachers, which will improve the quality of Pennsylvania's dance programs, benefitting the thousands of Pennsylvania students in K-12 schools."

The two lawmakers said that under the previous system, dance teachers could not be directly certified in dance, and that the certification process had a negative impact on dance teacher preparedness, continuing education and in dance programs in school districts across the commonwealth.

"I was happy to work successfully with Representative Joe Ciresi to get a bipartisan vote from the Pennsylvania House for a direct path to certification for dance instructors," James said in a statement. "Artistic expression in dance is beneficial to physical and mental wellbeing."

The Pennsylvania Dance Education Organization had come out in support of the measure, pointing to a 2019 needs assessment that showed there was demand for the change by school districts all across the state.

"The Pennsylvania Dance Education Organization celebrates this moment," the organization said in a statement. "Highly qualified dance educators will now have a direct path towards K-12 certification, to better serve students across the commonwealth by expanding worldviews, community engagement, and personal experiences. We are deeply grateful for Representatives Ciresi and James support in making this impactful initiative a reality."