Simplify Act 48 Compliance with Seamless Automation
It’s 9 p.m. and Maria, a district professional development coordinator, is still at her desk. She’s staring at rows of spreadsheets, double-checking educator hours against Pennsylvania’s Act 48 requirements. The deadline is looming, and one mistake could mean teachers don’t get credit for their hard work.
Sound familiar? For many schools, districts, and professional development providers across Pennsylvania, this is a common story. Act 48 compliance is essential, but the process of tracking and reporting hours can feel overwhelming.
The Challenge: Act 48 Compliance Is Complex
Act 48 requires all Pennsylvania educators holding professional certification to complete ongoing professional education to maintain their certification. To comply, educators must earn six collegiate credits, complete 180 hours of approved professional development, or a combination of both, every five years.
While the requirements are clear, the process of documenting, tracking, and reporting those hours is not always simple. Administrators often juggle:
- Multiple spreadsheets
- Manual data entry
- Email chains with educators trying to confirm hours
- The risk of mistakes that could impact certification
The stakes are high. An error in reporting could mean teachers miss out on credit for their efforts, or that a school falls out of compliance. For administrators, that means stress and late nights—like Maria’s.
“The Act 48 integration, including simple reporting and PERMS uploads, saves us valuable time and ensures accuracy. This system has been a tremendous asset for both our team and the educators we serve.”
The Turning Point: Automating the Process
That’s where Learning Stream comes in. The platform’s Act 48 integration transforms how educators and administrators manage Act 48 compliance.
Instead of relying on manual processes, hours are recorded automatically and transmitted directly to the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Professional Education Records Management System (PERMS). Educators, coordinators, and administrators all gain real-time visibility into professional development records.
No more juggling spreadsheets. No more late-night double-checking.
The Learning Stream Act 48 Integration ensures:
- Accuracy: Data flows directly from the source, reducing the risk of human error.
- Efficiency: Hours are tracked and submitted automatically.
- Transparency: Educators and administrators alike can see progress at a glance.
- Peace of mind: Compliance is handled, so staff can focus on what matters most—learning.
The Ripple Effect: More Time for What Matters
For Maria, the difference is night and day. With hours automatically tracked and reported, she no longer spends evenings poring over spreadsheets. Instead, she can focus on supporting teachers, planning professional development programs, and ensuring that learning opportunities are meaningful—not just compliant.
That ripple effect is powerful. Every hour saved on administration is an hour that can be reinvested into students and staff.
“[The ACT 48 Integration] has significantly reduced administrative workload by eliminating manual uploads and streamlining professional credit reporting. The integration also enables courses to run independently or on demand, providing staff and participants with greater flexibility and efficiency in engaging with professional learning.”
It’s not just about compliance. It’s about empowering educators and administrators to do the work they’re most passionate about.
Bigger Picture: Leading the Way in Modern PD Tracking
Pennsylvania’s Act 48 is just one example of a broader challenge: professional development tracking is often complicated, fragmented, and inefficient. By automating compliance, Learning Stream isn’t just solving a local problem—it’s setting a precedent for how schools and providers can embrace smarter, technology-driven solutions.
The message is clear: when compliance becomes automatic, everyone benefits. Educators can focus on growth. Administrators can focus on support. And schools can ensure that professional development is more than just a requirement—it’s a meaningful investment in the future.
Ready to Simplify Act 48 Compliance?
Act 48 compliance doesn’t have to be a burden. With the Learning Stream Act 48 integration, schools and organizations across Pennsylvania are reclaiming time, reducing stress, and ensuring accuracy.
Ready to see how it works? Schedule a demo today and discover a smarter way to track Act 48 hours.