The Curriculum & TaC Departments are both covered in this SMORE. For special ed (TaC: Training and Consultation) services, click the button below!

Ever wonder how other districts in Armstrong/Indiana County are doing something? Every month, we will try to compose relevant data based on frequently asked questions. Have a question or idea we could cover? Email me! Sgriffith@iu28.org

58% of districts offer Biology in 10th grade (some 9th grade advanced placements students will take Biology in 9th grade)

42% of districts offer Biology in 9th grade.

During the second semester of 2024-2025 ARIN will be hosting several student competitions including STEM Design Challenge, Media and Design Competition and the 24 Math Challenge. For details about all of these competitions go to the Student Competitions SMORE. Please share with your teachers.

During the 2023-24 school year, Intermediate Units began the process of finding and interviewing school districts on the topic of student-centered learning. Many schools from across the Commonwealth shared their stories with us and we then published those stories in an online publication. Continuing into the 2024-25 school year, the project has grown into a virtual network of educators and schools that are willing to share and wanting to learn more about student-centered learning. If this all sounds interesting to you please click the red button below to begin reading on how you can get involved in this network or schedule a visit to a PA school that has started down this path.

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

Available in-district sessions:

• Paper screening (curriculum resource review)
• Curriculum alignment

Remake Learning Days is a joyful celebration of hands-on learning events across Pennsylvania. RLD launched in May 2016 in Pittsburgh, PA as the largest open-house for families featuring hands-on learning. Your school can get involved with Remake Learning Days in the following ways:

1. Host an event

2. Promote events in your area

3. Register for the Career Ready PA Backpack Challenge

4. Participate in the discoverED design challenge (grades 1-2)

For more information, visit the link below.

Superintendent (SAC) & Principals meetings will be Act 45 eligible for up to 25 hours.

NEW❗Principal Collaborative Virtual Sessions (Act 45)

1. Curriculum Updates (Smore)
2. District Spotlight
3. Student Data
4. 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

Curious what trainings are mandated by PDE? Check out the new webpage on PDE's site that outlines Who/What/When! State Mandated Training Timeline | Department of Education | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Public entities (or “state and local governments”) offer many services on their websites and mobile applications (or “apps”). But these services are not always accessible to people with disabilities.

In April 2024, the Department of Justice (or “Department”) published a rule that sets technical requirements for state and local governments to follow to make sure that their websites and mobile apps are accessible to people with disabilities. This resource can help state and local governments figure out what they should do to comply with the rule.

The Common Ground Framework Guidelines are not required to be included in LEA continuing education plans. However, LEAs are required to comply to 22 Pa. Code §§ 49.16(c) and 49.17(a)(6), which states:

“The continuing professional education plan must include a section which describes how the professional education needs of the school entity, including those of diverse learners, and its professional employees are to be met through implementation of the plan. The plan must describe how professional development activities will improve language and literacy acquisition for all students, including the provision of training in structured literacy for professional employees who hold instructional certificates in Early Childhood, Elementary/Middle, Special Education PK—12, English as a second language and Reading Specialists. The plan must contribute to closing achievement gaps among students, and improve professional employees knowledge of professional ethics and culturally relevant and sustaining education.”

This is true for induction plans as well.

Therefore, LEAs do not need to use the guidelines but are required to have a training in both the continuing education plan and the induction plan.

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

Educator Application: PSSA and Keystone Exams Assessment Committee Reviews

🍏 Well-Being in Action Summit 2025 (SEL & Mental Health) April 29-30 Harrisburg

🍏Continuous Improvement Summer Conference (School Improvement) July 30 & July 31 PaTTAN HBG (see image below)

🍎 PASCD Summit 25 August 3-5 @ Nittany Lion Inn & State College Area High School

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!

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

The newest edition of “The CP Tip Jar” newsletter has been released. 🚩🚩

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