Leading & Learning 21

We’re excited to introduce the refreshed version of our newsletter, formerly known as Teaching and Learning 21. As we relaunch, our renewed focus is on empowering building and district leaders with timely insights, resources, and updates that support high-quality teaching and learning across Carbon Lehigh IU 21.

Each edition will highlight leadership strategies, professional learning opportunities for staff and administrators, and the latest news from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. We look forward to partnering with you in this next chapter of growth, innovation, and impact.

As AI rapidly transforms the educational landscape, school and district leaders play a pivotal role in shaping its responsible and impactful use. This month’s Leadership Insight focuses on how educational leaders can strategically leverage AI to enhance teaching, learning, and operational efficiency—while ensuring equity, ethical use, and educator support remain at the center.

Below, you’ll find curated resources that provide guidance on AI planning and policy, hands-on tools for leadership, and practical examples of how AI can support both students and staff.

👩‍💼 You’re Invited: AP Classroom for Administrators

Tuesday, August 19 | 9–10am ET

Join us for a live workshop designed specifically for school administrators! You’ll get an overview of AP Classroom, learn how to integrate it into your school’s academic programs, and explore ways to support your teachers in maximizing student engagement and success.

✔ Discover tools to strengthen AP instruction
✔ Learn best practices from College Board experts
✔ Get your questions answered live
✔ Recording will be shared with all registrants

This session is part of the professional learning series brought to you by the Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools and College Board — supporting your work to expand student opportunity throughout the 2025–26 academic year.

👉 Register Today

Designed for district leaders, curriculum specialists, principals, and counselors. Please share with your teams!

👩‍💼 You’re Invited: Fall Counselor Workshops

College Board’s annual Fall Counselor Workshops provide timely information and resources to support your work. Register to learn about updates on College Board programs and services so you’re ready to support your students for the 2025-26 school year.

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Registration and Networking

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Workshop Presentation

Pittsburgh – September 3 – Pittsburgh Marriott North in Cranberry Township - Register Here

Philadelphia – September 30 – Sheraton Valley Forge King of Prussia - Register Here

Can’t attend in person? Find a virtual workshop at: College Board Fall Counselor Workshops - Virtual Registration

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education is an integrated, interdisciplinary, and student-centered approach to learning that encourages curiosity, creativity, artistic expression, collaboration, computational thinking, communication, problem solving, critical thinking, and design thinking.

STEM education in Pennsylvania is built on the following foundational beliefs:

All students are capable of STEM literacy; Iteration and reflection are an important part of the STEM learning process; STEM education transcends the classroom walls, integrating into the community; and success depends upon the partnership between educators, students, families, postsecondary providers, legislators, business, and industry.​​

With STEM jobs growing at over 9 percent and computing skills in high demand, equipping students with these skills is key to preparing them for the future economy!

The Standards Aligned System (SAS), developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, is a comprehensive, research-based resource designed to improve student achievement in STEM education. SAS identifies six key elements that impact student success: Standards, Assessments, Curriculum Framework, Instruction, Materials & Resources, and Safe and Supportive Schools. This system provides educators across Pennsylvania with a state-of-the-art portal to access tools and strategies that enhance STEM learning.

Check out STEM & CS in PA!

Reach out to your local STEM Team (Tony Mirabito, Monica Pangaio, and Melissa Volcskai) at stem@cliu.org AND find STEM Professional Learning on the CLIU Event Center by using the STEM filter.

Several enhancements are coming soon to the PVAAS data analysis and visualization tool-designed with you in mind. These updates aim to make PVAAS an even more valuable resource to support instructional planning and student success.

Thanks to feedback from the field, we've prioritized features that make student data more timely, actionable, and aligned across subjects. While the core purpose and functionality of PVAAS remain the same, the enhancements will offer new ways to deepen your understanding of student growth and potential.

Here's a preview of what's ahead in Fall 2025:

• Consistency in Analysis and Reporting: Beginning with the assessment data collected during SY24-25, all state assessments will now be analyzed using the same predictive value-added methodology. The data from Keystone assessments and PSSA Science assessments are already used in this predictive modeling, comparing students' predicted scores to their actual scores. PSSA Math and ELA will now be in alignment with the same modeling used for Keystones and PSSA Science. This change aligns with the more student-centric reporting within the PVAAS site. Aligning methodology across subjects ensures consistent reporting, streamlined learning for educators, and flexibility for any enhancements to Pennsylvania's assessment system.
• More Timely Data Updates: Instead of one annual PVAAS data release, we are moving to a more frequent, phased approach. Student data in PVAAS will be refreshed more frequently with optional PIMS collections for PVAAS, giving you and your staff access to more timely information to support your instructional decisions throughout the year.
• New Insights into Growth Trends: You'll be able to view past growth trends of your currently enrolled students-a powerful new lens to help tailor instruction and support student learning needs.
• Integrated Reporting Across Levels: PVAAS teacher reporting will now be integrated with school and LEA/district reporting, creating a more seamless view of data across levels. This change will allow for a clearer connection between individual, school, and system-wide growth trends. (Available as of July 2nd on the PVAAS restricted site to view with the SY23 -24 PVAAS reporting/in advance of the fall data release).
• Modernized PEERS Interface: The no-cost PEERS tool (Pennsylvania Educator Effectiveness Rating System) used to complete Act 13 evaluations is getting a refreshed look! The new design offers a more modern interface that aligns visually with existing PVAAS reports, making it easier and more intuitive to navigate (PIMS Staff Template and Staff Assignment Template).

Please know: PVAAS is not changing-it's growing. These improvements are about making the data more useful, accessible and to streamline learning for educators, while maintaining the integrity and core of the system you already rely on.

Next step: To get the full benefit of these enhancements, connect with your PIMS administrator to ensure participation in the PVAAS collections for PIMS (PVAAS Student Enrollment, Teacher-Student Linkages, Local Assessment for Reporting and Analytics).

CSPG 46 – General Science has been revised to include the following new language:

Grade Level Scope of Certificate

An educator holding a valid Pennsylvania General Science certificate is qualified to teach all general science courses in grades 7 through 12. An educator holding this certificate is also qualified to teach first-year core biology, chemistry, and physics courses. They may also teach this content in the 6th grade. See CSPG 104 - Expansion of Secondary (7-12) Certification to Sixth Grade.

Certification Assignment

An educator holding a valid Pennsylvania certificate for general science is qualified to teach courses in life science, physical science, earth and space science, forensic science, environmental science, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). An educator with a General Science certificate also may teach first-year core courses in biology, chemistry, physics and earth and space science (e.g., Biology 1, Chemistry 1, Keystone Course, etc.).

NOTE: Other Instructional certificates also may teach STEM courses depending on course content and the type of credit being given.

Restrictions

An educator holding a General Science 7-12 certificate is not certified to teach Advanced, Honors, or Advanced Placement courses in biology, chemistry, physics, or earth and space science.

More information related to the agricultural sciences may be found in CSPG 30 - Agriculture.

We are pleased to announce the launch of the CLIU Event Center, a new centralized platform for registering for workshops, network groups, and CPE courses offered by Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21.

The CLIU Event Center is designed to enhance the user experience with intuitive tools and flexible features for both staff and administrators.

Key Features of the CLIU Event Center:

• Public Event Access: View all available professional learning opportunities in both calendar and listformats—no login required.
• Powerful Search & Filters: Easily locate events by keyword, date, category, location, or other criteria.
• Flexible Payment Options: Pay by credit card, purchase order, or select a bill me later option.
• Act 48 & Act 45 Reporting: Eligible hours are submitted automatically upon verified attendance and course completion.
• Instant Documentation: Participants can directly access and download completion certificates and/or letters.
• Self-Service Account Setup: Users can create their free accounts using their school email address, enabling personalized registration tracking and document access.

🔗 Access the CLIU Event Center here:
https://reg.learningstream.com/view/view_month.aspx?as=93&wp=449&aid=CLIU21

We encourage you to share this link with your staff and support them in creating their accounts. We are continuing to add events for the 2025-2026 school year, but you should easily be able to find Fall Networking Groups, Workshops, CPE Courses, and other events immediately. Our team is available to assist with any questions during this transition at events@cliu.org.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting high-quality professional learning.