Embedded Files
Ron Gallagher, Curriculum Supervisor
IU1 Curriculum Department
IU1 Curriculum Department
Buy 9 full PD days and get one free.
SAS Conference
SAS Conference
Share out any good ideas or sessions
PA School Code Updates
PA School Code Updates
Implementation Guide for PA School Code
Structured Literacy Updates
Structured Literacy Updates
The link below was sent out to all Districts for Structured Literacy Updates passed under the new budget.
Structured Literacy Updates Communication
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
Questions for PDE
CP Tip Jar
CP Tip Jar
Upcoming Due Dates
Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program: February 15
Educator Effectiveness Annual Report: February 28
Comprehensive Plans and State Reports (Phase 1): March 31
K-12 Guidance Plan (Phase 3): March 31
PVAAS Updates
PVAAS Updates
PVAAS Release: What’s New?
Student enrollment based on November 6 Student Enrollment collection
Projection Summary Reports now available for those that submitted enrollment. There was another collection on December 1.
Next collection: January 12, 2026
Teacher-Student Linkages based on November 6 TSL collection (280+ LEAs!) There was another collection on December 1.
Next collection: January 12, 2026
Not included for Public Site
Teacher Reports - Demo
PDE Content Advisor Updates
PDE Content Advisor Updates
New Science Advisor - Dr. Jason Zimmerman
AP Personal Finance Course- formal documentation will be out soon; will likely NOT meet the legal definition of the Personal Finance requirement
CDT/Firefly Updates
CDT/Firefly Updates
PA STEELS
PA STEELS
We are excited to announce the return of the Statewide STEELS Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) for the 2025-2026 school year.
This year, we are offering two distinct tracks. Please review the dates and times below.
2025-2026 PLC Schedule
STEELS Teacher PLC Sessions
Time: 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
November 18, 2025
January 22, 2026
March 19, 2026
May 27, 2026
STEELS Administrator PLC Sessions
Time: 8:30 am - 10:00 am
December 12, 2025
February 19, 2026
April 8, 2026
June 4, 2026
How to Join
PLC Sessions are FREE for all attendees and will be held virtually via Zoom. To receive meeting links and communications, all attendees must register at the link below. A unique Zoom link will be sent to registrants approximately one week before each session.
Register Here: https://forms.gle/ZgEY8VciVGsogRVp9
Family Engagement Data
Family Engagement Data
New Career Standards
New Career Standards
SAVE THE DATE STATEWIDE TRAINING (Act 48)
Title: “Skills That Matter: Employability and the New CEW Standards”
Target Audience: School teams (Administrators, Principals, Counselors, Teachers across grade levels)
Course Description: Join PDE’s Career Readiness Advisor as she highlights the newly revised Career Education and Work standards and how to integrate and transition from the current standards with best practices, application, resources, and instructional strategies across content areas. Work ahead of the timeline through an innovative approach to artifacts and student engagement to support career portfolios and the Career Standards benchmark in the Future Ready PA Index. (Resource: State Board Revised CEW Standards link)
Registration PaTTAN webinar:
Feb 5th Session (3 to 4:15 pm):
Feb 6th Session (10 to 11:15 am):
Jordan Lozosky, Curriculum Specialist
Classrooms Without Borders 2025-26 IU1 Sessions (grant info).pdfWe are pleased to offer the following sessions for the IU1 professional development calendar. These offerings are designed to engage educators in meaningful, inquiry-based learning that integrates historical understanding with practical classroom strategies.
*All sessions will be held at IU1 Central Office (One Intermediate Unit Drive, Coal Center, PA 15423) from 9am-3pm*
*Meets Act 70 School Requirement
***Next Session will be held on Thursday, January 29th***
**$$ Grant stipend for schools for upcoming sessions $$**
The American Battlefield History Field Trip Grant Program is designed to help offset the cost of K-12 field trips to sites related to the Revolutionary War, War or 1812, and the American Civil War. Approved applicants can receive up to $3,000 in funding for their field trip. Funds can be applied to transportation to and from the site(s), guide fees, and admissions to the historic sites. We do not provide funding for first-class accommodations, souvenirs, or overnight stays/accommodations. (Please visit our History Field Trip Grant Program page for more information).
If you are seeking additional resources or any information related to enhancing your existing social studies curriculum, please contact:
Jordan Lozosky, Curriculum Specialist
Phone: 724-938-3241 ext. #405
Email: jordan.lozosky@iu1.org
Jordan Lozosky, Curriculum Specialist: Gifted, Induction & Other Updates
Gifted Updates
Gifted Updates
NEW!! To Register for the Gifted Email listserv - IU1 Gifted Listserv Sign-Up Link
This is intended to create email lists for various interests/grade levels regarding gifted education and student opportunities. Please feel free to forward to colleagues that might want to be included.
Regular Ed Teacher slide deck -Slide Deck Link (it will force them to make a copy. That way they can make changes to the slides.)
IU1 Gifted Bootcamp Flyer 2025-26.pdfIU1 Gifted Bootcamp
Our Gifted Bootcamp will be held here at Central Office on January 27th, 2026 from 9am-2pm
Gifted in PA Webinar Series (Virtual)
This introductory webinar series is designed to help educators, administrators, and school staff build a strong foundation in gifted education as it is practiced across Pennsylvania. Participants will gain essential knowledge of state regulations, student supports, and instructional considerations that shape services for gifted learners.
Last Session Topic of 2025-26:
Characteristics of a Gifted Learner (January 21)– Understand the diverse academic, social, and emotional characteristics of gifted students, including how giftedness may present differently across populations.
Whether you are new to gifted education or seeking a refresher, this series will provide the knowledge and confidence needed to support gifted learners and collaborate effectively with families and colleagues.
All sessions are from 10am-11am and will be held virtually.
Where? Allegheny Intermediate Unit
When? March 12th from 8am to 3:30pm
Join educators, administrators, and leaders from across Western Pennsylvania for a full day of professional learning dedicated to advancing gifted education. The Western PA Gifted Regional Day offers engaging keynote sessions, practical workshops, and collaborative networking opportunities designed to strengthen our shared commitment to meeting the needs of gifted learners.
This year’s theme, “Beyond Labels: Cultivating Talent in Every Learner,” emphasizes moving past identification alone to embrace the development of potential in diverse and dynamic ways. Sessions will highlight effective instructional strategies, equity and access considerations, social-emotional learning supports, and innovative practices that help gifted students thrive.
Whether you are new to gifted education or an experienced practitioner, this conference provides the tools, inspiration, and connections needed to support the growth of gifted learners across all grade levels.
IU1 Induction 2025-26 Schedule and Registration Links.pdf2025-26 Induction Schedule
2025-26 Induction Schedule
*Participants must register on the hyperlinks on the flyer through Learning Stream.
Emily Hughes, STEM Coordinator
Emily Hughes, STEM Coordinator
Kits to Classrooms: An Introductory Look at OpenSciEd
Kits to Classrooms: An Introductory Look at OpenSciEd
Explore how OpenSciEd’s NGSS-aligned curriculum and IU1’s STEM Pathways kits support PA STEELS standards while bringing real-world phenomena and problem-solving to K–8 classrooms. Through our partnership with OpenSciEd and Carolina Biological, IU1 provides professional learning and ready-to-use materials to empower educators and transform science instruction.
January 22nd, 10:00-11:00am -- register here.
February 6th, 10:00-11:00am -- register here.
Teaching STELS with Project WILD
Teaching STELS with Project WILD
March 26th from 10am-3pm
Join Julie Travaglini from the Allegheny Land Trust, for a Project WILD workshop. Participants will be immersed in wildlife-based conservation and environmental education lessons that foster responsible actions towards wildlife. Lunch will be provided.
Participants will receive the Project WILD K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide, aligned with NGSS and PA STEELS Standards.
Western PA Environmental Education Summit
Western PA Environmental Education Summit
SAVE THE DATE!
June 11th at Grove City College
Think hands-on learning, outdoor inspiration, and big ideas for a greener future.
This one-day conference brings together educators and environmental experts to help teachers in Southwest PA and West Virginia spark curiosity, creativity, and environmental stewardship in every classroom.
REGISTRATION COMING SOON!
Teaching STELS with Project WET
Teaching STELS with Project WET
July 23rd from 9am-4pm at Ohiopyle State Park
Water matters—every drop counts! While we can’t make more water, we can protect and manage what we have.
Join our Project WET Educator Workshop and get the brand-new 2024 Foundations of Water Education Guide, packed with hands-on, interdisciplinary lessons that make water education fun and accessible. Activities align with PA STEELS and fit right into your existing curriculum. Learn more at www.projectwet.org.
This workshop has a $15 fee.
Morgan North, Career Readiness Coordinator
STEM Business & Educator Roundtable Discussions
STEM Business & Educator Roundtable Discussions
Meeting Dates
Tuesday, January 20th 2026 - Washington County 1-3PM
Link to register: January 20th - Washington County
Thursday, January 22nd 2026 - Greene and Fayette County 1-3PM
Link to register: January 22nd - Greene and Fayette County
STEELS to Skills: Connecting Classrooms to Careers brings educators, schools, and local business professionals together to power career-connected STEM learning. This collaborative experience focuses on the new Pennsylvania Career & Personal Finance and PA STEELS standards, helping participants identify essential future-ready skills and design engaging STEM experiences rooted in real-world workplace expectations. Together, we will build strong partnerships that expand student exposure to STEM pathways and ensure learning is relevant, rigorous, and aligned with today’s workforce demands.
Dave Dunham and Tracey Czajkowski - ELA Curriculum Specialists
Comprehensive ELA Curriculum Writing in 2026
Participating districts will be writing ELA curriculum for 9th grade starting on Tuesday, January 6th and Thursday, January 8th. We will be sending out emails to district administration later this week as a reminder.
Great PLC text for middle school and high school ELA teachers
Structured Literacy
PA Structured Literacy Guidelines
If you have any questions, please reach out to Tracey or Dave.
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