Lawmakers Sponsor Bill That Would Create Direct Path For PA Dancer Teacher Certification

HARRISBURG — Two Pennsylvania lawmakers have announced the introduction of a bill that would provide a direct path toward dance teacher certification in the commonwealth.

The bipartisan measure — H.B. 2678 — was sponsored by State Rep. Joe Ciresi, a Democrat from Montgomery County, and State Rep. Lee James, a Venango County Republican.

The two say that under the current system, dance instructors cannot be directly certified in dance but instead get certified in either communications or physical or vocational education.

Ciresi and James say that the current process has had a negative impact on dance teacher preparedness, continuing education, and Pennsylvania school districts' dance programs.

"We introduced this legislation to modernize dance teacher certification in Pennsylvania by enabling dance instructors to be certified in their discipline and ensure our dance teacher certification standards align with national standards," Ciresi said in a statement. "We owe it to our dance teachers, students and school district dance programs to have the PA Department of Education establish a direct path for new dance teacher certification, requiring discipline-specific education in dance for new dance teachers, just as we do for instructors in music, visual arts, math and science."

James echoed Ciresi's sentiment, adding that "dance education is beneficial on several levels, including personal fitness, stress relief, and concentration — and it's just plain fun.

"This legislation would help get our qualified instructors into classrooms and dance studios in our state and so fulfill a need which has grown over time," James said in his statement. "We hope for quick passage through the legislature and the governor's office."

Ciresi and James noted that the measure is supported by the Pennsylvania Dance Education Organization.

In its own statement, PADEO said that the bill, if it becomes law, would "serve to enhance high quality teaching in Pennsylvania, support teacher shortages in the arts, which will be vital for helping children post pandemic overcome social-emotional delays and make it possible for pre-service dance teachers in Pennsylvania to stay in-state for college and employment in K-12 schools."

According to the legislators behind the bill, critics have faulted the fact that under the current process in Pennsylvania, dance teacher certification does not actually have any dance-specific content.

They also say that modernizing dance teacher certification in the commonwealth would benefit thousands of students who are served each year by dance programs in K-12 schools by ensuring quality instruction for a discipline that is identified as one of four required arts under the Pennsylvania State Standards for Arts and Humanities.

The measure has been sent to the House Education Committee where it awaits review.