IU1 School Counselors
September 18, 2023 Meeting
ACT 158 Trainings
Last years graduating class (Class of 2023) will be reported in FRCPP starting October 1, 2023 and will be due on December 1, 2023.
PDE will host webinars for professional learning opportunities this Fall. Webinars are 50-minute presentations with a brief Q&A. All sessions are scheduled from 11:00 am to noon.
September 26, 2023 HS Graduation Requirements Refresher (webinar)
October 3, 2023 Grad Report: Collecting & Reporting Data (webinar)
October 10, 2023 PDE Tracking Tool (office hour)
October 17, 2023 Grad Data: Informing Local Practice (webinar)
October 24, 2023 FAQ (office hour)
Sessions can be accessed using the following log-in: https://iu13.zoom.us/j/99586637885?pwd=Q25VVHR4TTB3VDgra1hTTktON0VYZz09
Any questions about these upcoming trainings may be submitted to ra-edgradrequirement@pa.gov.
K-12 Guidance Plan (339) - UPDATED as of 3/11/22
Phase 1 – March 31, 2024
Phase 2 – March 31, 2025
Phase 3 – March 31, 2023
Check the Master List here.
Career Readiness Key Websites and Contacts
Career Ready PA – PDE’s source for guidance and resources
Career Ready PA Coalition Webinar Page. Regional Liaison: Amy Davis McShane
Email: amy.mcshane@aiu3.net Phone: (412) 394-4193
Career Ready PA Coalition Events | Eventbrite: Registration site for Free Webinars
PDE School Counselor advisor: Karen Rubicon
Join the PDE school counselor community
Upcoming Activities for students
The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium Conservation Education Department is offering a variety of teen programs this fall, including Zoo U. and Junior Conservationists! Programs are on Saturdays and registration is required. There is a fee for each program.
Zoo U. (Grades 9-12) will be focusing on science, species, and culture. Throughout this course, we will explore the multidimensional framework that is conservation. We will focus on how we can view species in different ways. Register: https://bit.ly/3Pfbtdx
October 7, October 21, November 4, November 18, December 9 9:00 -12:00
Junior Conservationists (Grades 6-8) will be focusing on animal adaptations. We will delve into the diverse and ingenious ways that animals have evolved to survive and thrive in their environments. Register: https://bit.ly/44O0IEM
October 14th, October 28th, November 11th, December 2nd, December 16th 9:00 – 12:00
Free Webinars on Registered Apprenticeships and Pre-Apprenticeships.
View the webinar materials at the links below.
ATO- Pre-apprenticeship presentation
Statewide list of Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship Programs
PA Department of Labor and Industry’s “What’s So Cool About Apprenticeships?”
AASA Denver Youth Apprenticeship
Any general questions or ideas for our next meeting October 16th?
Christy Kuehn (The Consortium for Public Education) - Supporting LGBTQ+
Karen Rubicon- PDE School Counselor Advisor
October 16, 2023 Meeting
ChatGPT prompt of the month
ACT 158 Trainings
October 17, 2023 Grad Data: Informing Local Practice (webinar)
October 24, 2023 FAQ (office hour)
Sessions can be accessed using the following log-in: https://iu13.zoom.us/j/99586637885?pwd=Q25VVHR4TTB3VDgra1hTTktON0VYZz09
Any questions about these upcoming trainings may be submitted to ra-edgradrequirement@pa.gov.
K-12 Guidance Plan (339) - UPDATED as of 3/11/22
Phase 1 – March 31, 2024
Phase 2 – March 31, 2025
Phase 3 – March 31, 2023
Check the Master List here.
Rachel Zilcosky and Elizabeth Meerdo
Career Ready Re-Boot Camp (Allegheny Intermediate Unit on October 31)
Industry 4.0 Teacher Academy - Explore the New Manufacturing (Pittsburgh Technical College on November 2)
Industry 4.0 Registration Link
Counselors 4 Computers Workshop Flyer (Dicks Sporting Goods Headquarters—Coraopolis on November 17)
Counselors 4 Computing Registration
EntreEd: Fundamentals for Teaching Entrepreneurship to K-12 Classrooms (IU1, Washington Room on December 4)
Consortium for Public Education (Christy Kuehn)
Karen Rubicon - PDE school counselor advisor
Breakout rooms - How can ChatGPT be used to help you be more efficient at your job?
November 13, 2023
ChatGPT prompt of the month
PVAAS for counselors
Career Ready Connections: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:9c2dcffd-8200-4110-b296-7a29b0f15027
NIASHF Scholarship Application: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:va6c2:7b4bbeab-78cb-47f3-9f19-bd98b4cf3650
Elizabeth Meerdo, Career Readiness Information and Student Opportunities:
Transfr virtual reality headsets have been purchased with two levels of career exploration activities loaded on them for student use. We are awaiting their delivery. The plan is to offer this opportunity to our middle and high school students—more information on how to schedule a session with your students will be coming soon.
A career readiness website is in the works and will be available via a link on the CCC site, under the counselors' page. Here you will be able to see the services available from the mobile career lab and a request form to schedule a session with me.
On November 2, we attended a meeting at WQED Pittsburgh to discuss career resources for elementary students. We will be partnering with PBS to offer career readiness and family activities to elementary students. There is a need for career readiness activities at this level, and we are excited to partner with WQED/PBS to offer activities and lessons to elementary students. More information to come!
EntreEd Professional Development Session at IU1--Monday, December 4 from 9:00-3:00. The focus is incorporating entrepreneurship and its skills into existing curriculum. We plan to hold another session in late winter/early spring if individuals are not able to attend this session. Five Act 48 hours will be given, lunch will be provided, and the session is free to attend.
EntreEd is hosting a two-day entrepreneurship conference at the Hilton Garden Inn, Southpointe on March 12 and 13 (a Tuesday and Wednesday). The EntreEd 2024 Annual Conference, themed “Connect, Learn, Inspire: Empowering K-12 Students with Future-Ready Skills,” unites educators, experts, and stakeholders in entrepreneurship education. It fosters networking and collaboration, facilitates learning of best practices, and inspires through success stories. Attendees can choose from three tracks that align with the conference’s overarching theme of “Connect, Learn, Inspire” and cater to the diverse needs and interests of the attendees, providing a well-rounded experience focused on empowering K-12 students with future-ready skills through entrepreneurship education.
EnterEd Conference Details Here
Information from Amy McShane at AIU:
STEM Design Challenge: The Allegheny Intermediate Unit competition will be held on Wednesday, March 6 at Commonwealth Charter Academy in Homestead, PA.
To register your teams:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/alleghenyintermediateunit/1057487
For schools outside of Allegheny County, please find your STEM Design Challenge Coordinator at:
https://padlet.com/amydavis7/stem-design-challenge-resources-gb5tqhq3l5xhmdce
For resources and other information, please visit the STEM Design Challenge website.
High School Summer Opportunities:
Flyer to Learn More--QR Code for Zoom Info. Sessions
University of Pittsburgh Health Careers Scholars Academy – held on the main campus of the University of Pittsburgh. Eligible students must be a current high school sophomore or junior and at least 15 years of age by the February application deadline. For students interested in any field of health care.
University of Pittsburgh Information
Iacocca Global Entrepreneurship Intensive – held on the main campus of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. Eligible students must be a current high school sophomore or junior. Program focus is careers in business.
Pennsylvania School for Excellence in the Agricultural Sciences – held on the main campus of Penn State University. Applicants must be a Pennsylvania resident and a high school junior. Program focus is on the variety of careers in Agricultural Science.
Virtual open houses to discuss all three programs will be held on November 16 and November 29; December 5 and December 14; and January 11 (all at 7 p.m.)
Noon virtual open houses will be held on November 15 and November 28; December 4 and December 13; and January 10.
A QR code is posted on the information flyer to learn more (it is at the top of this section and is highlighted).
If you would like to schedule a Zoom just for your school, please feel free to contact gesummer@lehigh.edu.
Next meeting is January 22, 2024
January 22, 2024 Meeting
K-12 Guidance Plan (339) - UPDATED as of 3/11/22
Phase 1 – March 31, 2024
Phase 2 – March 31, 2025
Phase 3 – March 31, 2023
Check the Master List here.
PVAAS Webinars
A digital backpack about your students! PVAAS New Student Reporting for Course Placement and Student Planning
Join us and explore the newly designed PVAAS Student Reports! You can access a range of student level information one tile at a time. PVAAS has a "digital backpack" of longitudinal data for your individual students to use for a range of purposes! Maybe you want to know: How has my student performed over school years and/or across subjects? How is my student likely to perform on upcoming assessments? How can the value-added experience of my student help with next year's planning? This newly designed student reporting can support your work with PA's Graduation Pathways, course selection/placement for students, and student support needs. Interact with the new student tiles to support students' individual needs!
Thurs, Feb 1, 2024 @ 12:00-1:00pm
Fri, Feb 2, 2024 @ 10:00-11:00am
School Scheduling and Course Offerings: Planning Ahead to Meet Students' Needs with Data
Do you want to make timely changes to your school schedule that accommodate the strengths and needs of your current and incoming student population? Do you want to know more about the need for instructional supports? PVAAS student-level projections can help you with these tasks and decisions well in advance for thoughtful planning and informed decision-making! This session will illustrate how to utilize PVAAS student projection data to (1) proactively inform the creation of school schedules that meet incoming students' needs, and (2) plan for appropriate course offerings, including intervention and remediation supports, as well as rigorous Honors and AP courses. Many of these projections are available several years in advance for students, allowing you to make informed local decisions about course offerings, interventions, and resource allocation for upcoming school years. Join this session to gain a better understanding as we work through sample reports to illustrate how PVAAS data can support that work.
Thurs, Jan 25, 2024 @ 1:00-2:00pm
Tues, Feb 13, 2024 @ 9:00-10:00am
Register here for the Jan 25 session of School Schedules & Course Offerings
Register here for the Feb 13 session of School Schedules & Course Offerings
EQT Energize Your Education Scholarship Program
Career Readiness:
Washington County Counselors: Southwest Corner Workforce Development Board (serving Beaver, Greene, and Washington Counties) is holding a Washington County breakfast roundtable at the DoubleTree Hotel in Washington on Friday, March 15 at 8 a.m. (340 Racetrack Road). This roundtable will allow educators, employers, and workforce partners the opportunity to discuss needs, ideas, and resources. To RSVP, please e-mail Arlene Nicolella at anicolella@washingtongreene.org.
Greene County Counselors: Southwest Corner Workforce Development Board is holding a Greene County breakfast roundtable at the Denny House in Waynesburg on Friday, March 22 at 8 a.m. This roundtable will allow educators, employers, and workforce partners the opportunity to discuss needs, ideas, and resources. To RSVP, please e-mail Arlene Nicolella at anicolella@washingtongreene.org.
EQT Scholarship: The EQT Foundation’s Energize Your Education Scholarship program is now accepting applications.
The program will award 15 $10,000 scholarships to graduating high school students looking to pursue a degree in a field that is utilized in the oil and gas industry, such as computer science or information technology; civil, chemical or petroleum engineering; energy or land management; environmental science; geology; safety science; or welding. The scholarships can be used at two- or four-year educational institutions.
Eligible students must be a current high school senior with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and live in one of the following counties where EQT Corporation has business operations:
• Pennsylvania - Allegheny, Bradford, Centre, Clinton, Fayette, Greene, Lycoming, Tioga, Washington, Westmoreland
• West Virginia - Doddridge, Harrison, Marion, Marshall, Tyler, Wetzel
• Ohio - Belmont
Students will be evaluated based on academic history, involvement in extracurricular activities, work experience, and essay response.
Additional information and the scholarship application can be found at https://eqtscholarships.versaic.com.
Consortium for Public Education: Registration is open for Future Ready Partnerships Conference
Future Ready Partnerships Conference will be held on March 5th at PennWest University from 8:00 a.m to 1 p.m. This is an annual event that features presentations and panel discussions to help educators and employers work together to prepare students for today's job market. Lunch is included. Cost to attend is $25. The event is always subscribed to capacity so register now at Eventbrite!
UPDATE--Format Change--EntreEd Entrepreneurship Conference: The EntreEd National Entrepreneurship Conference originally scheduled for March 12-13 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Southpointe has been changed to an all-digital format. The conference will still be held on March 12 and run from 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A half hour break will be given between presentations.
This digital conference will come with Act 48 credits, and registered attendees may watch the recording of the day’s events later if unable to attend live during school hours. EntreEd will also have supplemental materials to accompany their speakers for a ready-made classroom entrepreneurship lesson.
The cost to register for this digital conference is $20.24. For more information about the digital conference and to register, please visit the link below.
EntreEd EmpowerED Futures: A Digital Summit Revolutionizing Eship Edu
UPMC Information: Below are resources and opportunities for high school students from UPMC.
High School Opportunities Pages -
Choose Your Tomorrow (upmc.com)
Join UPMC’s Talent Community for High School Students
The UPMC Clinical Laboratory Building (CLB) is now offering job shadowing sessions. The shadowing dates occur on the first Tuesday or the third Friday of every month from now-May. A job shadowing experience at the CLB for a high school student entails:
following a laboratorian as they go about their workday and experience what the work schedule is like
observing and listening in order to perform simple job duties
The job shadow experience runs approximately from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The mentor will fill out any paperwork necessary for the student's school district. The student should be able to list, upon completion of their job shadowing experience, what medical laboratory departments, equipment, and procedures they had the opportunity to observe.
Please contact Jacqueline M. Teahan(Jacqui), Microbiology Laboratory Services Educator, at: teahanjm2@upmc.edu or by phone at (412) 647-1006 if you would like more information on this program.
Karen Updates:
The introductory webinar will be followed by optional PDE office hour meetings where you are welcome to call in to ask specific questions:
K12GP TEAMS office hour #2 Tuesday, January 30, 2024 from 2:30 – 3:30. Meeting ID: 221 753 006 085 Passcode: HRwyBJ
K12GP TEAMS office hour #3 Tuesday, February 20, 2024 from 2:30 – 3:30 Meeting ID: 230 999 829 189 Passcode: oyESXm
339 Plan Webinar:
At the January 11, 2024 State Board of Education meeting, all four standards packages were unanimously approved by the Chapter 4 Committee, Council of Basic Education, and the full PA State Board of Education.
Please review the Board Actions (pa.gov) from the January 11, 2024 State Board of Education meeting. The link contains the final proposed standards documents and amendments to Chapter 4.
There is additional work to be done in a regulatory process before they are codified. Implementation 26/27 SY.
PA Standards Regulatory Process
Next Meeting is February 27th
February 27, 2024 Meeting
Career Readiness:
UPDATE--Format Change--EntreEd Entrepreneurship Conference: The EntreEd National Entrepreneurship Conference originally scheduled for March 12-13 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Southpointe, has been changed to an all-digital format. The conference will still be held on March 12 and run from 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A half hour break will be given between presentations.
This digital conference will come with Act 48 credits, and registered attendees may watch the recording of the day’s events later if unable to attend live during school hours. EntreEd will also have supplemental materials to accompany their speakers for a ready-made classroom entrepreneurship lesson.
The cost to register for this digital conference is $20.24. For more information about the digital conference and to register, please visit the link below.
EntreEd EmpowerED Futures: A Digital Summit Revolutionizing Eship Edu
Simcoach Games is now accepting applications from 2024 and 2025 high school graduates for its 2024 Summer Apprenticeship in Game Design and Development. This program is a registered pre-apprenticeship and employment opportunity with Simcoach Games starting on June 10, 2024, through July 19, 2024. To be eligible to apply, students must be at least 16 years old by the start of the program (June 10, 2024). Students must be entering their senior year of high school after this summer or graduating in 2024 to apply. Exceptions to these age and grade requirements cannot be made.
Please review the information below to learn more about the program and the application process. The application form and website below provide information about the program.
Learn More:
Visit Simcoach's website for information and view videos from their Summer Apprentices: https://www.simcoachapprenticeship.com/
Ready to Apply? Complete the application form: Fill out form
Questions? Questions can be directed to apprenticeship@simcoachgames.com
March 25, 2024
2023-2024 Winter Keystone Exams
December 4-15, 2023 – Wave 1 Testing Window
January 3-17, 2024 – Wave 2 Testing Window
January 22, 2024 – Materials pick up
February 14-16, 2024 – Keystone Corrections Window
March 5, 2024 – District Student Data Files Released
March 11, 2024 – Parent Letters available
March 25, 2024 – Data Interaction updated
March 25, 2024 – District and School Summary Reports Available
April 12, 2024 – Individual Student Reports Arrive
2024 PSSA
September 28-October 3, 2023 – Enrollment System Window
February 12-23, 2024 – Testing Dates Collection Window
February 20, 2024 – Test Setup Opens
March 8, 2024 – Handbook for Assessment Coordinators and Directions for Administration Manuals Posted
By March 25, 2024 – Shipment 1 Manuals Arrive
By April 8, 2024 – Shipment 2 Secure Materials Arrive
April 8, 2024 – Additional Materials Ordering Window Opens
April 22-26, 2024 – English Language Arts Testing Window
April 29-May 3, 2024 – Math, Science,Makeups Testing Window
May 1, 2024 – Materials pick up for ELA
May 3, 2024 – Materials pick up deadline for early reporting
May 6-10, 2024 – Math, Science, Makeups (Optional) Testing Window
May 15, 2024 – Final materials pick up for Math, Science, Makeups (no early reporting)
June 4, 2024 – Early Student Reporting Results Performance File Released
June 7, 2024 – Early Student Reporting Parent Letters Released
June 24, 2024 – Final Student Reporting Performance File Released
June 27, 2024 – Final Student Reporting Parent Letters Released
September 9, 2024 – Individual Student Reports Arrive
September 18, 2024 – Data Interaction updated
September 18, 2024 – District and School Summary Reports Available
2024 Spring Keystone Exams
December 11-14, 2023 – Enrollment System Window
March 18-20, 2024 – Test Setup Window for Precode Labels
March 18-29, 2024 – Testing Dates Collection Window
April 4, 2024 – Handbook for Assessment Coordinators and Directions for Administration Manuals Posted
By April 15, 2024 – Shipment 1 Manuals Arrive
By April 29, 2024 – Shipment 2 Wave 1 Secure Materials Arrive
April 29, 2024 – Additional Materials Ordering Window Opens
May 13-24, 2024 – Testing Window
May 30, 2024 – Materials pick up
June 20-25, 2024 – Keystone Corrections Window
July 15, 2024 – District Student Data Files Released
July 18, 2024 – Parent Letters available
August 9, 2024 – Data Interaction updated
August 9, 2024 – District and School Summary Reports Available
September 12, 2024 – Individual Student Reports Arrive
2024 Accountability
June 17-25, 2024 – Grades 3-8 Attribution System Window
July 17-19, 2024 – Grade 11 Attribution System Window
August 9, 2024 – Accountability District Student Data Files Released
2024 Summer Keystone Exams
June 11-13, 2024 – Enrollment System Window
June 11-13, 2024 – Test Setup Window for Precode Labels
June 11-13, 2024 – Testing Dates Collection Window
July 5, 2024 – Handbook for Assessment Coordinators and Directions for Administration Manuals Posted
By July 15, 2024 – Shipment 1 Manuals and Secure Materials Arrive
July 15, 2024 – Additional Materials Ordering Window Opens
July 29-August 2, 2024 – Testing Window
August 7, 2024 – Materials pick up
August 26-27, 2024 – Keystone Corrections Window
September 13, 2024 – District Student Data Files Released
September 18, 2024 – Parent Letters available
October 3, 2024 – Data Interaction updated
October 3, 2024 – District and School Summary Reports Available
October 7, 2024 – Individual Student Reports Arrive
The Pennsylvania State Test Administration Training (PSTAT) Website
The 2023-2024 PSTAT opened on November 1, 2023
EQT’s Qrew Camp is a two-day immersive experience for students to learn more about the natural gas industry. This camp for rising 9th, 10th & 11th grade students. EQT is offering two programs in July – one in Washington, PA and one in Williamsport, PA, which will mirror each other in their agenda in exposing students to potential career paths. Deadline for applications to this program is May 1.
EQT Qrew Camp Information and Registration
Simcoach Games is now accepting applications from 2024 and 2025 high school graduates for its 2024 Summer Apprenticeship in Game Design and Development. This program is a registered pre-apprenticeship and employment opportunity with Simcoach Games starting on June 10, 2024, through July 19, 2024. To be eligible to apply, students must be at least 16 years old by the start of the program (June 10, 2024). Students must be entering their senior year of high school after this summer or graduating in 2024 to apply. Exceptions to these age and grade requirements cannot be made.
Please review the information below to learn more about the program and the application process. The application form and website below provide information about the program.
Learn More:
Visit Simcoach's website for information and view videos from their Summer Apprentices: https://www.simcoachapprenticeship.com/
Ready to Apply? Complete the application form: Fill out form
Questions? Questions can be directed to apprenticeship@simcoachgames.com
Community College of Beaver County--College Here and Now Information PDF