22 PA Code § 233.3. Powers and duties.
(a) Under the act, the Commission has the power and its duty is:
(1) To recommend to the Board rules and regulations defining positions for which certification should be required and criteria to determine qualification, consistent with the act, necessary to hold a certificate.
(2) To recommend to the Board rules and regulations providing for making a certificate permanent upon evidence of teaching experience and additional preparation as may by rule be required.
(3) To recommend to the Board rules and regulations providing for the Department's investigation and determination of the acceptability of programs of professional education in colleges and universities of this Commonwealth issuing degrees to persons who may desire to teach in the schools of this Commonwealth. The Commission may recommend as its own, with or without modification, standards used by other organizations engaged in the evaluation of teacher preparation programs. In recommending standards under this paragraph, the Commission will consider, among other factors, the following:
(i) Ongoing research and developing theories in education.
(ii) The knowledge and skills necessary to perform professional education functions effectively.
(iii) The liberal arts and general education requirements that are the foundation of a teacher preparation program.
(iv) The value of the student teacher, laboratory work and other professional experience as preparation for certification.
(v) The cultural and demographic diversity of relevant student populations.
(vi) Other interests of the public.
(5) To assess the effectiveness of educator preparation programs and recommend changes to the Board as indicated by these evaluations.
(6) To conduct site reviews of individual teacher preparation programs unilaterally or participate in site reviews conducted by the Department or other agencies and organizations. The Commission will assess the administration and content of the teacher preparation program review process in this Commonwealth.
(7) To recommend to the Board changes in teacher education program standards based on Commission-conducted analyses of the Department program approval process. In recommending these changes, the Commission will organize and operate an annual review of and address the strengths and weaknesses of the program review process.
(8) To recommend to the Board rules and regulations providing for acceptance or approval of certificates to teach issued by other states, countries and bodies.
(9) To recommend to the Board rules and regulations providing for the Department to enter into agreements with agencies of other states for reciprocal approval of teacher preparation programs.
(10) To recommend to the Board rules and regulations governing assessment procedures for the initial certification of teachers as well as for the certification of school principals and superintendents.
(11) To cooperate with a National board for professional education certification recognized by the Commission, to such degree as in the Commission's judgment will bring advantage to the Commonwealth.
(12) To establish procedures for conducting hearings under section 13 of the act (24 P. S. § 12-1263) and for hearings regarding reinstatement of certificates.
(13) To adopt and maintain a code for professional practice and conduct. Nothing in the code for professional practice and conduct may be an independent basis for the suspension or revocation of a certificate, nor may it pertain to questions of membership or affiliation or nonaffiliation in an employe organization, or participation in the actions of an employe organization or participation or nonparticipation in the actions of an employe organization related to the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement, a strike or other work stoppage as defined under the Public Employe Relations Act (43 P. S. § § 1101.101-1101.2301), but the code may specify sections the violation of which may constitute a basis for reprimand.
(14) To discipline a professional educator found guilty upon hearings of immorality, incompetency, intemperance, habitual use of drugs or narcotics, cruelty, negligence or for violation of a provision of the act of May 29, 1931 (P. L. 210, No. 126) (24 P. S. § 1224) and to direct the Department to suspend the certificate of a professional educator indicted for a crime or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or as a drug addict whenever a certified copy of the indictment has been filed with the Commission and to revoke the same upon conviction thereof whenever a certified copy of the verdict or judgment or sentence of the court has been filed with the Commission, and to direct reinstatement of the certificate by the Department in any case where after hearing the Commission deems discipline just and proper. The Commission will establish definitions consistent with section 5(a)(11) of the act (24 P. S. § 12-1255(a)(11)).
(15) To establish procedures which assure that actions concerning discipline of professional educators comply with due process.
(16) To keep minutes of its meetings and report annually to the Governor, the General Assembly, the Board, the education profession and the public and to publish, from time to time, other reports as it might deem appropriate.
(17) To adopt, under the act of July 31, 1968 (P. L. 769, No. 240), known as the Commonwealth Documents Law, operating and procedural rules and regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of the act. The Commission will hold public hearings and take testimony concerning proposed recommendations which will be presented to the Board.
(b) Recommendations made by the Commission under paragraphs (1)-(10) will be presented publicly at scheduled meetings of the Board prior to Board action on regulations, standards or guidelines affecting teacher certification, professional practices, accreditation of teacher education programs and long range plans. Recommendations will be made in a timely fashion to facilitate the work of the Board.