Embedded Files
Ron Gallagher, Curriculum Supervisor
IU1 Curriculum Department
IU1 Curriculum Department
Buy 9 full PD days and get one free.
PA Budget/Legislation Updates
PA Budget/Legislation Updates
School Code Bill (SB 315) includes provisions for:
Simplified certification grade bands: primary PK-6 | Secondary 7-12 | Specialized PK-12
Cyber Charter and Truancy Reforms:
Attendance policy must differentiate excused/unexcused
Students must be visible on camera for synchronous instruction.
Define “present” for synchronous/asynchronous instruction.
Other items include: district expense deductions, biannual residency verification, transfer of habitually truant students, and truancy best practices development.
Literacy and Reading Initiative
Coaching not applicable due to lack of funding.
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
Implementation grants may be awarded.
School Safety and Mental Health
Creates the Office of School Safety and Security within PCCD.
Addition of a cybersecurity expert to the School Safety and Security Committee
Special Education Funding and Reporting
Special Education Funding Commission reconstituted.
Cyber schools are included in related surveys.
Desmos Calculator
Desmos Calculator
Desmos calculator updates: Link
Desmos Testing App: Link
Additional notes:
Students in grades 4-8 may continue to use a handheld calculator which complies with the PDE Calculator Policy to answer calculator permitted questions.
Students in grade 3 may not use a calculator.
Students in grades 4 and 5 can access the Desmos four function calculator. I often receive questions regarding students having access to a handheld device with a fraction button. My suggestion is to ensure students in grades 4 and 5 can operate (add, subtract, multiply and divide) fractions as outlined in the Assessment Anchors/Eligible Content. Often, these questions appear in the non-calculator section of the PSSA. Also, if students are asked to show/explain their work for an open ended question, we would expect to see all the middle steps involved with converting to common denominators, etc. For example, grade 5 students might be asked to add . They should type If students are missing the middle steps, they will not earn credit for the work.
As a side note, students could also type fractions that are not stacked and would earn full credit by showing this work:
(2 3/5)+ (1 7/8) = (2 24/40) + (1 35/40) = (3 59/40) = (4 19/40); the parentheses are not needed. The equation editor in the testing platform does have stacked fractions, and I would encourage students to practice typing fractions using the Online Tools since they are accustomed to seeing and working with stacked fractions. Here is a link to the Online Tools Training: https://portal.te.drcedirect.com/PA.
Students in grades 7 and 8 will have access to the Pennsylvania testing version of Desmos graphing tool for the PSSA in 2026. As noted above, certain functions are turned off for testing.
The calculators in the OTTs will be updated in the coming weeks.
Firefly Updates
Firefly Updates
Firefly Reports - Instructional Strategies
The Grades 3-8 instructional strategies will be released on the evening of November 20. This will be the same day as the other two reports: Subject and Reporting Category Comparison.
This is a delay from the initial release date of November 14 shown below.
Student Group Roster :View individual results in an exportable file format on October 6, 2025
Reporting Category Comparison will be ready by November 20, 2025
Comp Planning/FRCPP
Comp Planning/FRCPP
ACT 158 Graduation Requirement due December 1
Educator Effectiveness Annual Report released December 20 and due February 28
95% Assessment Participation Plan released in December and Due April 1
PVAAS Updates
PVAAS Updates
PVAAS Public Site will be released approximately 1 week after the FRPAI
FRPAI data released
FRPAI data released
Building Level Scores 24-25SY
Building Level Scores 24-25SY
PA Assessment Data
PA Assessment Data
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!
Are you interested in enhancing your implementation of the STEELS standards? We invite all science educators and administrators to join these dynamic, virtual PLCs designed to transform science education.
These free sessions offer the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from across the state to explore STEELS standards and tackle implementation challenges.
Sessions will focus on:
STEELS standards implementation
Real classroom experiences
Innovative teaching solutions
Enhanced teaching practices
Connections with science educators statewide
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
New Career Standards
New Career Standards
State Training:
PDE will provide a statewide webinar on the newly revised Career Education and Work standards on February 6, 2026. Registration information and details will be available soon. In the meantime, continue to preview the (State Board Revised CEW Standards link) which will be in effect on July 1, 2026.
Next week, the Career Ready PA Coalition session will be held on Thursday, November 20, 2025, virtually from 1 to 2:15 pm at this Zoom link: https://berksiu.zoom.us/j/96608133329?pwd=bHCHb9DkxbZQgawxOjy9SBGiGwijGu.1 . Sessions are recorded. Each session focuses on a different career cluster and statewide best practices to strengthen and advance career pathways for all learners.
AI Updates
AI Updates
Google Gemini storybooks
ACT 1 Toolkit
ACT 1 Toolkit
The Center for Schools and Communities, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, has published the Graduation Plan Toolkit to support students with Act 1 of 2022: Assisting Students Experiencing Education Instability designation.
339 Plans
339 Plans
Karen from PDE has stated that the 339 Plans in FRCCP have been updated and should be finalized soon.
My Pennsylvania Story
My Pennsylvania Story
Deadline is December 15th
State Math Opportunity
State Math Opportunity
2 year commitment
CPE Updates
CPE Updates
Jordan Lozosky, Curriculum Specialist (Social Studies)
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.
Session Topics Include:
GIEP Overview (November 19) – Explore the purpose and process of the Gifted Individualized Education Plan (GIEP), with practical guidance on writing compliant, meaningful, and student-centered goals.
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.
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.
Tracey Czajkowski and David Dunham - ELA Curriculum Specialists
8th Grade ELA Curriculum Writing
Seven districts completed the 8th grade comprehensive ELA curriculum writing process this month. Each district's curriculum was aligned to their seventh grade document and covers all State standards, anchors, and eligible content.
For 8th grade, districts placed more emphasis on making text to world and text to text connections through both modern and traditional pieces. The writing component had clearly articulated goals for argumentative writing practices that focus more on claim, counterclaim, defense of claim and rebuttal.
Grade 9 will begin in January.
Tracey TDA Rollout.pdfTDA Roll Out #3 on 1/12
This workshop will provide a systematic approach to the TDA writing process.
Each month we will address necessary steps to writing better text dependent
analysis essays for the PSSA. Teachers will gain a better understanding of what
quality TDA writing looks like and how to guide their students in improving their
writing of analysis. Quality models will be provided and participants will write
their own TDA to share with students.
Dave Assessment.pdfMeasuring What Matters 12/3/25
Measuring What Matters 12/3/25
Measuring What Matters is a professional development session
Measuring What Matters is a professional development session
designed to help educators reimagine assessment as a tool for learning rather
designed to help educators reimagine assessment as a tool for learning rather
than just accountability. This session explores how to design and implement
than just accountability. This session explores how to design and implement
meaningful assessments that align with instructional goals, reflect student
meaningful assessments that align with instructional goals, reflect student
understanding, and inform instructional decisions. Participants will examine the
understanding, and inform instructional decisions. Participants will examine the
balance between formative and summative assessments, explore ways to
balance between formative and summative assessments, explore ways to
assess critical thinking and real-world skills, and consider how to provide
assess critical thinking and real-world skills, and consider how to provide
actionable feedback that supports student growth. Through collaborative
actionable feedback that supports student growth. Through collaborative
discussion and practical examples, educators will leave with strategies to
discussion and practical examples, educators will leave with strategies to
create assessments that truly measure what matters most in student learning.
create assessments that truly measure what matters most in student learning.
Tracey Creating Text Sets.pdfCreating Text Sets 12/4/25
Creating Text Sets 12/4/25
Building background knowledge and
Building background knowledge and
getting students to engage with text is
getting students to engage with text is
critical to their academic success. This
critical to their academic success. This
workshop will provide time to teachers and
workshop will provide time to teachers and
administrators to create meaningful, well
administrators to create meaningful, well
leveled text sets using a variety of genres
leveled text sets using a variety of genres
for students to enjoy. To engage the
for students to enjoy. To engage the
students on higher levels of understanding,
students on higher levels of understanding,
this workshop will also share various
this workshop will also share various
questioning strategies that can be linked to
questioning strategies that can be linked to
the text sets created.
the text sets created.
David Dunham - ESL Curriculum Specialist
New Webpage: Supporting Multilingual Learners with Disabilities
New Webpage: Supporting Multilingual Learners with Disabilities
We’ve launched a new webpage to support educators in planning instruction that meets both language development and accessibility needs for students with disabilities. Visit Supporting Multilingual Learners with Disabilities for frameworks, tools, videos and more to help all learners thrive.
Teresa Brown - Math Curriculum Specialist
Emily Hughes - STEM Coordinator
Student Opportunities:
Keystone Competition - December 10, 2025 at the PA Trolley Museum from 9:00AM to 1:00PM, grades 5-15
Unified Robotics with VEX - March 11, 2026 at PennWest University from 9:00AM to 1:00PM
For this pilot initiative schools will receive over $1000 in free materials and PD
PD in person with VEX Specialis
IU1 STEM Pathways
IU1 STEM Pathways
IU1 STEM Pathways provides professional learning opportunities and material kits to support teachers in implementing OpenSciEd.
From Kits to Classrooms: An Introductory Look at OpenSciEd
Discover how OpenSciEd’s NGSS-aligned curriculum supports the PA STEELS standards while transforming science instruction through real-world phenomena, equitable learning, and strong teacher support. This webinar is designed to help leaders make informed decisions about implementing high-quality, research-based science programs in their districts.
WEBINAR DATES: January 22nd, February 6th
TIME: 10:00-11:00AM
Supporting STE(ELS) with Project WILD
Supporting STE(ELS) with Project WILD
March 27th 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. All resources aligned with PA STEELS Standards.
Western PA Environmental Education Summit
Western PA Environmental Education Summit
SAVE THE DATE: June 11th
The primary goal for the conference is to empower educators of Southwest PA and contiguous West Virginia counties with the knowledge, tools, and inspiration they need to integrate environmental literacy and sustainability and outdoor learning experiences into their curricula and teaching practices.
We will bring together passionate educators from diverse backgrounds and environmental professions to foster a community of environmentally conscious and engaged teachers who can, in turn, inspire and educate the next generation of environmentally responsible citizens.
Project WET Educator Workshop
Project WET Educator Workshop
July 23rd from 9am-4pm
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.
STEM Business & Educator Rountable Discussions
STEM Business & Educator Rountable Discussions
SAVE THE DATES: January 20th, January 22nd from 1pm-3pm
Look out for more details on a series of dynamic events that bring together educators, local businesses, and workforce leaders to align education with current STEM industry needs and to build partnerships that strengthen the STEM talent pipeline in our region.
Student Opportunities:
Keystone Competition - December 10, 2025 at the PA Trolley Museum from 9:00AM to 1:00PM, grades 5-15
Unified Robotics with VEX - March 11, 2026 at PennWest University from 9:00AM to 1:00PM
For this pilot initiative schools will receive over $1000 in free materials and PD
PD in person with VEX Specialists scheduled for Dec. 18th at IU1 Central Office
To participate or register contact sarah.durzo@iu1.org
Professional Development Opportunities
Technovation Educator PD - December 5, 2025 at IU1 Central Office
Register at https://reg.learningstream.com/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0080-0031-61ca9b9b0c89461e9c88bbc02c40a49d
Join Technovation at IU1 for an educator training on this FREE program that teaches students to be tech leaders using coding and AI! This in-person training by Technovation at IU1 introduces and equips interested educators with the skills and resources to foster student-driven tech innovation through the Technovation program. During this hands-on experience, attendees dive into how to facilitate the program using FREE curriculum, teaching students to brainstorm bold ideas and build mobile apps using coding and AI to tackle real-world problems.
Remake Learning - Meet Your Neighbor
https://remakelearning.org/network-opportunities/meet-your-neighbors/
Meet Your Neighbors is a new way for members of the Remake Learning network to open their doors and welcome others in. These gatherings build community by showcasing incredible work happening across our region—and by creating space for authentic connection and shared learning.
Coming up - Code Joy, Junior Achievement of Western PA, and Bella Terra Stables
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