Some Pennsylvania colleges are dissatisfied that the state plans to change the training and certificate levels for elementary and middle-school teachers.

They took their complaints to a state House Education Committee hearing Thursday.

In May 2007, the state Board of Education adopted regulations that set new grade and age level limits for certificates issued on or after Jan. 1, 2013. The new certificates will include early childhood for pre-kindergarten through grade four, and elementary/middle for grades four through eight.

Currently, an elementary certificate covers grades K through six and a middle level one covers grades six through nine. A secondary certificate would continue to cover grades seven through 12.

In addition, teacher education programs will be required to provide all teacher candidates with study on the needs of students with disabilities and English language learners by Jan. 1, 2011.