Curriculum Updates

Register HERE

This free, one day conference is your one-stop-shop for PDE updates and current events in education. Leaders from IUs and PDE host various sessions on topics relevant and current. We would love to see you there! Pending Act 45 approval again this year.

We'd love to hear how your journey with MTSS is going. Do you need more support? Are you smooth sailing? It is quick and helps us plan for you!

Join us for a 2 part series as we wipe the dust off cursive and bring it back to life! Hands-on, kinesthetic, and exciting strategies to not only teach cursive handwriting, but to get teachers and students excited about it again! This is for K-12 and cross-curricular.

Day 1: Blue Spruce Park

Day 2: Outdoor Discovery Center @ Crooked Creek

For more information, visit our newsletter: Scribbles to Script

Email kmonsour@iu28.org to hold your spot! Click the button below to register!

Join us on September 11, 2026 for a hands-on introduction to ARIN’s STEAM Lending Library! Participants will explore low-tech, screen-free, and high-tech classroom resources—including maker tools, robotics, drones, circuits, Breakout EDU, and more—and leave with ideas for using these materials to support engaging, student-centered learning. This session is perfect for educators who want to try something new without having to purchase materials first.

We are excited to offer our 1st HYBRID Act 45 course using Alludo and one of our favorite books!

"AI can’t replace the human element of education. It can elevate it." (Tucker & Novak, 2024)

Registration: Registration Link (opens in new tab)

Cost: $350

Includes the book, Alludo for asynchronous component & light breakfast for 2 in-person dates

Date: In-person @ ARIN August 11 8:30a-10:30a & December 15 8:30a-10:30a (virtual office hours will be offered September 29, November 10 also from 8:30a-10:30a)

Point Park University is the only higher education institution in Pennsylvania approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to offer the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) alternative path to teacher certification. This program is virtual and available to teacher candidates throughout Pennsylvania.

There are 4 required phases to the program.

Phase 1: Testing – Pass the American Board certification exams (replaces the Praxis or PECT).

Phase 2: Enrollment – Apply to Point Park, complete two graduate courses, submit required paperwork, and secure a placement in a PDE-approved school.

Phase 3: Experience – Complete 60 consecutive days of teaching along with all required program assignments.

Phase 4: Certification – Apply for the Instructional I certificate through the PDE TIMS.

For more details, see this flyer and contact program director Denise Beverina-Moore (dmoore@pointpark.edu).

🍎Continuous School Improvement Conference July 28 & 29 @ PaTTAN Harrisburg (open to all LEAs)

🍏Summit 26 (PAEdge & PA Principals Association) Aug 2-4 @ Renaissance and Parkland HS, Allentown

🍎Data Literacy Action Summit: Weaving Data Fluency Across Disciplines for Civic Impact Oct 6 @ PaTTAN Central, Harrisburg

Want a 1:1 Consult with the PVAAS Team? Click HERE to schedule!

Users can now select the focus for the consultation that best meets their goals or professional learning objectives.

Great Learning Opportunities Coming Up:

PVAAS Professional Learning Page

Digging Deeper Guides- these are a great resource for identifying root cause and diving deeper into your data! User friendly for all users!

Here are several links to resources to help build your understanding of this change:

• PVAAS Methodology Transition
• Changes in PA’s Assessment System: Impact on PVAAS
• PVAAS Methodologies (see pages 10-13 for predictive model information)
• eLearning – District/School Value-Added (view section on Predictive Methodology in menu)

Upcoming Webinars: Learn With Us

Summer is a great time to learn and reflect as you plan for the coming year. Consider engaging in these webinar options, both in the summer and during next school year, as you use data to inform your work. Visit our PDE PVAAS Professional Learning Webpage to register for these offerings and more:

Unlocking the Power of PVAAS Reports: A 101 Overview (Act 48 Eligible)

• October 12 – 12:30pm-2:30pm

Using PVAAS Teacher & Student Data to Plan Instruction (Act 48 Eligible)

• October 12 – 9:00am-11:00am
• November 3 – 12:30-2:30pm

Connect With Us for a 1:1 Data Conversation

We offer (at no cost) 1:1 PVAAS data virtual sessions for PA public LEA/district and school leaders: Reserve a Time!

Administrators may invite additional administrators and/or teachers to a session. If you are a teacher, please include your administrator in the session with you.

FRCPP Support: Office Hours every 1st and 3rd Tuesday via TEAMS. CLICK HERE

Click here to access the most current Comprehensive Planning/FRCPP information.

Need to know what Phase your LEA is in? Check it here: Comprehensive Planning Phase Designation List.pdf

Susan Manz

Director of Curriculum- School Improvement, AICPP/Careers, PVAAS, Act 89/NonPub

TaC Supervisor

smanz@iu28.org

Stacie Isenberg

Curriculum Specialist - STEM, STEELS, Instructional Coaches, Artificial Intelligence

sisenberg@iu28.org

Lacie Cook

Curriculum Specialist - Math, Gifted, Instructional Coaches, School Improvement, PVAAS, CDT, SEW, Induction

lcook@iu28.org

Katie Monsour

Curriculum Specialist- ELA, Counselors, AICPP/Careers

kmonsour@iu28.org