Curriculum Updates
January 2025
Keystones Technology Innovators Program Nominations
Do you have a teacher on your staff willing to take innovative risks, try new instructional strategies, and demonstrate leadership qualities?
They will benefit from The Keystones Technology Innovators (KTI) program's collaborative network that strengthens student learning and inspires educators to try new practices in the classroom.
We invite every building principal in the state to nominate ONE individual from their staff for consideration for this esteemed event.
Keystones Nominee Benefits Include:
- Membership in a strong community of innovators
- Opportunity to become a Keystones STAR
- Option to enroll in a three-credit graduate-level course or earn approximately 20 Act 48 hours
- Access to other Keystones through various social networks and in-person events
To nominate a future Keystone from your building, follow these four steps:
- Pick your nominee.
- Check if your nominee was previously nominated: https://bit.ly/PastKTIs.
- Ensure they are willing to attend the Summit from July 21-25, 2025.
- Make a nomination by February 10, 2025, at https://bit.ly/KTI-Nominate.
The whole process is designed to be quick and straightforward, taking at most 5 minutes of your time.
PENNSELA Statewide STEELS Admin PLC
The PENNSELA Statewide STEELS Admin Professional Learning Community (PLC) is a collaborative network designed to support administrators across Pennsylvania in implementing the PA STEELS Standards with fidelity and impact. This PLC provides a space for educational leaders to engage in targeted discussions, share best practices, and develop actionable strategies for fostering three-dimensional, equity-centered science education.
Through regular meetings, expert-facilitated sessions, and peer learning opportunities, participants will deepen their understanding of the STEELS framework, explore ways to lead systemic change, and build capacity to support educators and students in achieving the vision of the standards. The PLC emphasizes practical solutions, data-informed decision-making, and the development of sustainable leadership practices that prioritize inclusive and effective science teaching and learning statewide.
This initiative is driven by the Pennsylvania Science Education Leadership Association (PENNSELA), in partnership with key stakeholders, to ensure that all administrators are equipped to champion high-quality science education in their schools and districts.
STEELS
Please click here for details on upcoming trainings and supports for the STEELS Standards.
Coming Soon from PDE/Workgroups:
- Assessment Toolkit
- Safety Guidelines
- EL&S Curriculum Framework to SAS Portal
AI for Educators
Join us at the IU February 14 for AI for Educators! For more information and registration, CLICK HERE.
Can't make that date work? Have us come to you! Email Susan Griffith sgriffith@iu28.org or Stacie Isenberg sisenberg@iu28.org
SAC & Principal Collaborative ACT 45- Coming Soon!
Superintendent (SAC) & Principals meetings will be Act 45 eligible for up to 25 hours.
NEW❗Principal Collaborative Virtual Sessions (Act 45)
This new collaborative group will be offered to any district leader interested in Act 45 hours. Similar to our former Curriculum Council and Principal Networks, this group will meet virtually every month and will cover:
- Curriculum Updates (Smore)
- District Spotlight
- Student Data
- Curriculum & TaC Highlights, Offerings, and Discussion
There is a "pre-session work" component to this in order to earn all the hours. The work should take no longer than 2 hours to complete and is relevant to district/building student data. More details to come.
Monthly REMOTE Meeting: 9-11am & 2 hours of pre-work (on your own)
4-5 Act 45 hours per session will be eligible
Tentative session dates will be:
January 9, 2025 9-11
February 13, 2025 9-11
March 20, 2025 9-11
NO APRIL
May 8, 2025 9-11
June 5, 2025 9-11
Online Assessments
Please see this DOCUMENT for all Assessment Updates from PDE.
- Firefly Administration Training site
- DRC Online Enrollment
- Transition to Online Assessments
- TEI (Technology Enhanced Items) Software & Device Support
- And More!
- iPad Update
PVAAS
Roster Verification
Visit the PDE PVAAS RV page https://bit.ly/PDEPVAAS-RV for phase dates, learning opportunities, and resources.
SPRING 2025 RV PHASE DATES
The Spring 2025 RV phases open on Thursdays with most closing on Wednesdays.
* PREVIEW - Thursday, April 17 - Wednesday, April 30, 2025
* TEACHER VERIFICATION - Thursday, May 1 - Wednesday, May 14, 2025
* SCHOOL VERIFICATION - Thursday, May 15 - Wednesday, May 28, 2025
* LEA VERIFICATION - Thursday, May 29 - Friday, June 20, 2025
Is this your first time leading RV in your LEA/district or school? Check out these resources:
1. Act 13 Roster Verification Seasonal Calendar, https://bit.ly/Act13RV-bySeason
2. e-Learning: Roster Verification Implementation and System Actions, https://pvaas.sas.com/videos/PA/e-Learning/Roster-Verification/index.html#/
RV WEBINARS
Two webinars this winter and spring will provide focused learning about roster verification. Visit https://bit.ly/PDEPVAAS-RV to register.
1. MAKE THE MOST OF PIMS: ROSTER VERIFICATION & IMPORTANT PIMS COLLECTIONS (January 22 or February 3)
2. READY, SET, ROSTER! PREPARE FOR AN EFFICIENT ROSTER VERIFICATION PROCESS (April 11 or April 15)
Questions can be directed to pdepvaas@iu13.org.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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!
The newest edition of “The CP Tip Jar” newsletter has been released. 🚩🚩Click here to access the most current Comprehensive Planning/FRCPP information.
