Curriculum Updates

We want to hear from you! Yes, YOU! All staff from all districts are asked to complete this survey for special education training needs!

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)

A free workshop June 18 8:30-3:00 @ IUP!

Please join us at IUP for "7 Habits of Highly Effective People". This training Empowers individuals to develop foundational skills and character attributes to work effectively - leading to greater success. This training is most useful for organization/individuals who want to increase emotional intelligence, proactive problem-solving, communication and collaboration, and self-leadership.

This session is FREE and will include lunch. Six (6) Act 48 hours will be awarded following the conclusion. Act 45 hours will be awarded for qualified individuals pending approval.

April 7-9, junior and senior students from Indiana and Armstrong County school districts will participate in the Soft Skills Challenge! We have over TWENTY businesses excited to open their doors and expertise to students as they practice their "soft skill". Moreover, we have sponsors and giveaways again this year to make the event competitive and fun!

Interest Form Now Live for the 2026-27 PDE Principal Induction Program

If you are a current Assistant/Vice Building or Building Principal who needs to complete principal induction to apply for your Administrative II certification, visit the SAS PD Center and complete the 2026-27 Principal Induction Interest form.

Administrators who sign up through the interest form will be notified when registration opens for the 2026-27 induction year. The induction program is one year in length, and participants will earn 80 Act 45 Continuing Education hours upon completion of the induction program.

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).

Interested in connecting students and families to local learning & creating events aligned to STEM - OR - are you trying to get the word out about a local event? Look no further! Remake learning days are happening in May and you can register YOUR event or check out the website to FIND an event!

Remake Learning Days

Host an Event for Remake Learning Days 2026! (Funding Available)

As we head into 2026, I am thrilled to invite you to be part of the 10th Anniversary of Remake Learning Days! This hands-on learning festival returns to Indiana and Armstrong counties from May 1–23, 2026, and we want to showcase the great work happening in our schools, libraries, museums, nonprofits, and local businesses.

Why Host an Event?

• Share what you already do with families and the community

• Showcase student work, programs, or summer opportunities

• Connect with parents and caregivers in a meaningful way

• Events can be for any age and are free or low-cost

Interested in hosting?

• Submit your event (choose Northwestern PA) — Marketing deadline: Feb 23

• Apply for funding to support your event — Deadline: Feb 13

A full preview of the host and funding applications is attached for reference.

Need inspiration? Check out some of these events from last year’s celebration.

The grade spans and age levels for Instructional Certificates shall be as follows:

1. Primary – prekindergarten, kindergarten, grades 1 through 6 or ages 3 through 11
2. Secondary – grades 7 through 12 or ages 11 through 21
3. Specialized areas – prekindergarten through grade 12 or ages 3 through 21

*** Immediately allows educators holding a PK-4 certificate to teach 5th and 6th grade.

***Immediately allows educators holding a 7-12 secondary school certificate to teach 6th grade in the subject area for which the secondary certificate is endorsed.

• Requires PDE to develop alternative pathways for teachers with an elementary/middle instructional certificate to expand the scope of their current certificate to include the secondary grades through add-on testing or professional development.

Unsure of how you will meet the new laws regarding accessibility? Our partners at IU7 created an accessibility training to educate districts/IUs on how to best approach these changes!

Timeline:

Law Passed: April 2024

Law Enforced: April 2026/2027*

*Based on size

State and local governments that contract with other entities to provide public services for them (like non-profit organizations that run drug treatment programs on behalf of a state agency) also have to make sure that their contractors follow Title II.

Examples of state and local governments include:

• State and local government offices that provide benefits and/or social services, like food assistance, health insurance, or employment services
• Public schools, community colleges, and public universities
• State and local police departments
• State and local courts
• State and local elections offices
• Public hospitals and public healthcare clinics
• Public parks and recreation programs
• Public libraries
• Public transit agencies

For more information on this industry-based credential, visit: PSMLA (PA State Modern Language Association)

PA Seal of Biliteracy, an industry-based credential, can be earned upon high school graduation by students who have intermediate-high or advanced proficiency in English and a second language.

🍎Student Centered Learning June 17 @ IUP

🍏 The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People June 18 @ IUP (open to anyone)

🍎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

When we put students at the center of the learning, real change happens. Join us at IUP on June 17, 2026 for a day of learning at the Western PA Student Centered Learning Summit. Details for lodging and the conference program will follow in the new year.

Date: June 17, 2026

Location: Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Event Registration: bit.ly/WPASCL2026

Want to present? Click here.

Please see the attached flyer for more information.

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The Learning Landscape summit will bring together educators and environmental professionals from across western PA for a high-energy day of learning, collaboration and inspiration.

Date: June 11, 2026

Location: Grove City College

Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Event Registration: bit.ly/WPASummitReg

Want to present? Click here.

Please see the attached flyer for more information.

This no-cost Act 45 program is a 40-hour leadership learning experience designed to strengthen instructional leadership and support practice-based instruction across content areas. Participants engage in asynchronous learning, in-person collaborative sessions, and job-embedded application to examine how leadership routines and professional learning support equitable, high-quality teaching and learning. The program includes two in-person learning days on June 24–25, 2026, held at Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13, along with asynchronous pre-work and a culminating assignment. Learn more and register for the Act45 course.

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)

The PA online testing landing page has been updated in order to be accessible. Educators and students will see this change in two ways:

1. Through the secure test engine
2. Through the public version used to access Online Tools Training and Tutorials

With regards to the secure test engine and administration of CDT, Firefly, PSSA and Keystone exams, LEAs do not need to take any action. The software has been updated already.

The public version of the landing page, which is used for the Online Tools Training (OTTs) and Online Tools Tutorials (videos) required a new URL. Educators and students can now access the OTTs and Online Tools Tutorials using this link: https://portal.te.drcedirect.com/PA

PA Assessments Training Site https://sites.google.com/datarecognitioncorp.com/psa-assessments/home/

• PA Troubleshooting Guide

• Quick Start Guide to Online Testing

• DRC INSIGHT Portal User Guide

• Technology Training and Technology User Guide

• Preparing Students for Online Testing

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.

Susan Griffith

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

TaC Supervisor

sgriffith@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