Curriculum Updates
January 2026 Newsletter
Coming Soon @ ARIN IU28:
Alludo! IU28 & IU7 Learning Management System is HERE!
Asynchronous, on-demand, accessible, relevant, and READY!
November Updated List of Trainings Available!
IU28 is so excited to offer asynchronous professional development ranging in topics from mandatory trainings to content specific and everything in-between! This learning management system (LMS) already contains hundreds of professional development learning modules designed for our region, our initiatives, and our students. Indiana and Armstrong county districts are invited to subscribe to this new option for ongoing, continuously growing, personalized option for teachers, support staff, administrators and more!
✅Trainings are created by your trusted (local) IU Curriculum & TaC teams.
✅Personalized professional learning tracks are made possible, giving educators agency in their own learning!
✅Topics are relevant, offer ready to implement strategies, meet compliance regulations, and can be customized to meet your district's needs!
✅Act 48 is managed within the system
✅No substitutes required - this is an asynchronous option for professional development!
Contact Susan Manz (Griffith) smanz@iu28.org for more information on subscriptions and offerings!
Coming Soon - H.E.L.P. 2nd Annual Event (Healthcare Education Learning Pathway)
Lenape Tech - Calling all districts!
Our 2nd Annual HELP event for students in grades 10-12 interested in health related fields is scheduled for February 23, 2026. We can't wait to learn more about health fields from professionals in a variety of careers related to health!
Happy Birthday America! 250!
America250PA! Coming Soon!
It's not too soon to begin planning your district and community celebrations of our country turning 250 years old! This is a huge milestone that we are excited to celebrate with you! Visit America250PA for resources and events!
America250PA Semiquin Scholarship Program
In commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary and to honor the legacy of Pennsylvania’s strong commitment to education, America250PA will be awarding $250,000 in scholarships to deserving Pennsylvania students attending Pennsylvania colleges and universities in the 2026/2027 academic school year. Application
Standards Based Grading Opportunity
Mathematics Empowerment Through Standards Based Grading (A US Dept of Ed Study)
FOR MORE INFORMATION (Click this link)
- Works with your existing curriculum
- Empower students to improve their math outcomes
- Encourage confidence, persistence, and growth mindsets
- Get ready-to-use rubrics, assessments, and student tools
- Join a network of forward-thinking educators
- Receive paid professional development and ongoing support
Information session: January 21 10-11am
Principal Induction Program
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.
Regional Information
Remake Learning.... near you!
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!
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.
Curriculum Updates
Structured Literacy- new mandates
By 3/31/2026, all LEAs must report current curricula to PDE.
By 2027-2028, all school entities must adopt the approved curriculum and train educators in evidenced-based reading practices.
Universal K-3 reading screening 3x per year using PDE-approved tools
Reading deficiency notification and intervention plans required for identified students
To learn more, please join PaTTAN for a webinar explaining new updates and requirements! Click Here for Webinar Details and Registration
Contact Katie Monsour kmonsour@iu28.org (Curriculum Specialist) or Nicole Cornman ncornman@iu28.org (TaC) for Structured Literacy Support!
Certification Updates!
The grade spans and age levels for Instructional Certificates shall be as follows:
- Primary – prekindergarten, kindergarten, grades 1 through 6 or ages 3 through 11
- Secondary – grades 7 through 12 or ages 11 through 21
- 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.
Upcoming Conferences
🍏Special Education PaTTAN Conference Feb 25-27 @ Hershey Lodge
🍎PETE & C 2026 February 1-4 @ Hershey Lodge
Western PA Student Centered Learning Conference
RESOURCES
PVAAS
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
Register to join us live. Can’t make the live broadcast? Register anyway and we’ll send you the on-demand session when it’s available!
How PVAAS Data Supports Decisions in MTSS Tier 2 and Tier 3 Programming
Live Broadcast: 1/13/26 | Time: 9:00 am | Register Here
Using PVAAS Projections with Purpose: Guiding Course Recommendations and Supports
Live Broadcast: 1/28/26 | Time: 9:00 am | Register Here
Top Resource Picks of the Month
Prepare to work in PEERS (Pennsylvania Educator Effectiveness Rating System) when SY25-26 information is pre-populated in the next several weeks. Familiarize yourself with how to complete Act 13 evaluations in PEERS and check out the new features released this summer!
Key Documents:
Using PEERS: A Getting Started Guide for Evaluators
PEERS Frequently Asked Questions
Webinar Recording:
PEERS Refresh: A Hands-On Tour of What’s New
Prefer a 1:1 conversation? Book a 1:1 Online Session with a PVAAS Team Member
DRC / Firefly / Keystone / PSSA : Online Tools
The PA online testing landing page has been updated in order to be accessible. Educators and students will see this change in two ways:
- Through the secure test engine
- 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
Firefly Updates
Firefly reporting will expand significantly for ELA, Mathematics, Algebra I and Literature this year.
Individual Students:
- Student Group Roster – 10/6/25
- Individual Student Reports will contain predictions for PSSA or Keystone performance – 10/6/25
- Instructional Strategies – Fall/Winter
- Longitudinal Roster – 2/2026
Group Results:
- Longitudinal Roster – 2/2026
- Content Area Comparison – 11/2025
- Group Performance – 1/2026
- Group Performance – 1/2026
PA Assessments Training Site https://sites.google.com/datarecognitioncorp.com/psa-assessments/home/
FRCPP
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.
Team Smores
More Professional Development Opportunities
Contact Us
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