Teacher Induction and Certification

In Pennsylvania, Pre-K Counts teachers are required upon hire to have a Level I teaching certificate after which they have six years to obtain a Level II teacher certification. Teachers must meet several criteria to obtain a Level II certification, including the following:

  • teach in Pennsylvania on a Level I certificate for three to six years of satisfactory service; 
  • earn 24 post-Baccalaureate credits; 
  • obtain six credits associated with the area(s) of certification; and 
  • complete a Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) approved Induction program. 

Trying Together offers a two-year Induction program for Level I teachers in Allegheny and surrounding counties that features 12 hours with an experienced mentor and 32 hours of high-quality professional development through Zoom and Schoology. This program is provided to teachers in Pre-K Counts classrooms.

After completing the two-year Induction program, teachers will receive 45 Act 48 credits and 32 PQAS credit hours.

Additionally, Trying Together provides evaluators with early childhood experience that meets PDE requirements for certified Level I and Level II Early Childhood Education teachers. Trying Together uses the Act 13 of 2020: Evaluation of Educator Effectiveness for Teaching in Pre-Kindergarten Classrooms model. 

Request Induction and Evaluations

To request an induction for teachers, please fill out the Teacher Induction Request Form. Please note that all evaluation requests must additionally be made through the Evaluation Request Form.

Fees associated with Induction and Evaluation programs are outlined in the Fee sheet for 2024-2025.

More Information

For more information or questions, please contact Loni Gooden, Workforce Development Strategist, at 412.567.3933 or .

Helpful Information and Resources

Image: A young child sits at a desk as an early learning professional bends over to help them with a project.

You are a valued caregiver.

Parents are a child’s first and most important teacher. The importance of the everyday interactions that adults have with the young children in their care have a great impact on their healthy development and learning. Thank you for utilizing Trying Together’s digital resources.

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