Allegheny Intermediate Unit

Getting It Right from the Start
2025-10-03 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-09-05 08:00 - 09:00 (America/New_York)
This practical and engaging, virtual series is designed to equip special education professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to develop compliant, student-centered transition components within transition age Individualized Education Plans (IEP). Participants will learn how to write clear, individualized transition grids and craft meaningful postsecondary Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFPs) with a primary focus on the PELs of Postsecondary transition. Participants will also enhance their knowledge of alignment with students’ goals, strengths, and needs. Through real-world examples, compliance guidance, and best practices, attendees will leave better prepared to ensure each student’s transition plan supports a successful path to adulthood—whether that includes postsecondary education, employment, or independent living. Perfect for new and veteran educators, case managers, and administrators committed to “getting it right from the start.”

LETRS Volume 2
2025-10-02 09:00 - 15:30
REGISTER NOW TO JOIN THE 2025-2026 LETRS VOLUME 2 COHORT*
*Completion of Volume 1 and 2 course meets PA Structured Literacy Chapter 49 requirements
*Volume 1 is a prerequisite for Volume 2 participation
Developed by renowned literacy experts Dr. Louisa Moats and Dr. Carol Tolman, LETRS® is a flexible literacy professional development solution for preK–12 educators. LETRS earned the International Dyslexia Association’s Accreditation and provides teachers with the skills they need to master the fundamentals of reading instruction—phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, writing, and language.
LETRS empowers teachers to understand the what, why, and how of scientifically based reading instruction
When:
Each session will run from 9am-3:30pm at the AIU Central Office
October 2, 2025 – Unit 5 The Mighty Word: Oral Language and Vocabulary (Sullivan)
December 17, 2025 – Unit 6 Digging for Meaning: Understanding Reading Comprehension (Rogers)
February 18, 2026- Unit 7 Text-Driven Comprehension Instruction (Sullivan)
April 16, 2026 – Unit 8 The Reading-Writing Connection (McGuffey)
Time Commitment:
Independent Reading: 28 hours
Online LETRS Platform: 12 hours
Synchronous and In-Person PD: 22 hours
Total of 62 Act 48 Hours Available
Registration:
1. Register on Frontline
2. Complete Google Form to select payment option: https://forms.gle/B3SRX4HLPHQ6UZnp9
Deadline September 25, 2025
Materials:
Cost: $400 per participant
Includes Volume 2 manual and one year of online access
Invoicing will be processed at first session

Keys to Comprehension: English Language Arts (Grades 3-8)
2025-10-02 09:00 - 15:00 | Allegheny Intermediate Unit, East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, USA, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
Targeted for teachers in grades 3 to 8, this Reading Achievement Center series focuses on the literacy domain of reading comprehension. Participants learn instructional techniques to unlock reading comprehension, applicable to both literature and informational text.
Price: $600 per person
2025-26 Meeting Dates:
October 2, November 18, January 14, February 12
Register for in-person course
Register for asynchronous online course

Local Task Force 3 Meeting
2025-10-01 12:00 - 15:00 | Allegheny Intermediate Unit Central Office, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
The October 1, 2025, Local Task Force meeting only will be in a hybrid format meeting during the daytime hours.

AIU Rogers Room at Central Office and via Zoom link to be provided.

Check and Connect: Building Connection Through Mentoring at Tier 2 & 3
2025-10-01 09:00 - 11:30
Check & Connect is an intervention used with K-12 students who show warning signs of disengagement with school and who are at risk of dropping out. At the core of Check & Connect is a trusting relationship between the student and a caring, trained mentor who both advocates for and challenges the student to keep education salient. Students are referred to Check & Connect when they show warning signs of disengaging from school, such as poor attendance, behavioral issues, and/or low grades.

Schema-Based Instruction in Mathematics
2025-09-30 08:30 - 15:00
Additive schemas are problem-solving structures that involve combining, comparing, or separating quantities using addition and subtraction. Common types include Part-Part-Total, Compare, and Change situations, each emphasizing how quantities are related through an additive relationship.

25-26 Transition Council of Allegheny County (TCCAC) Meeting Series
2025-09-30 08:30 - 14:30
Pennsylvania’s transition community has a rich history of helping youth and young adults successfully transition from school to adult life. Since 1990 PA’s Local Transition Coordinating Councils (LTCCs) have played an instrumental role in this process. With cross-stakeholder representation, the TCCAC will host 4 meetings during the 2025-2026 school year. The meeting series will be conducted as a full day, in-person experience to afford attendees time for professional development, networking, coordination, and resource development. Each session is designed to educate transition coordinators, educational professionals, parents, and agency providers to better coordinate, collaborate, problem solve, and support transition age youth with disabilities successfully navigate their pathway toward graduation. Please consider attending each council meeting to expand your professional network, enhance your knowledge and expertise, gather meaningful tools and resources and learn about upcoming events to assist you in your profession or community network.

Text Dependent Analysis Part 2: Effective Instructional Practices
2025-09-25 09:00 - 15:00 | Allegheny Intermediate Unit, East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, USA, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
English Language Arts (Grades 4-8)

This three-module Reading Achievement Center series is open to participants who attended “TDA: Effective Instructional Practices” during a previous school year. In this series, participants will deepen their understanding of the reading, thinking, and writing processes necessary for TDA success.
Price: $450 per person
2025-26 Meeting Dates:
September 25, February 3, March 3
Register for in-person course
Register for asynchronous online course

Emotional Support Teacher Training
2025-09-25 08:30 - 15:30, 2025-09-16 08:30 - 15:30
Join us for a series of professional learning that centers on the development of teachers of students receiving emotional support. Teachers will begin with two days of training where they will establish beginning of the year rules and routines with a trauma-informed lens. Teachers will also learn how to use the Pennsylvania Career Ready Skills Continuum to center social emotional skill development in their daily teaching. Additionally, teachers will have the opportunity to participate in ongoing networking sessions throughout the year, which will focus on topics targeted at the core components of being an emotional support teacher.

Navigating 504s
2025-09-24 08:30 - 15:00
Join us for a focused professional development session to craft a streamlined Chapter 504 process. Tailored for school district teams including: 504 administrators, coordinators, and stakeholders, this session covers legal history, eligibility, service agreements, LEA responsibilities, and current trends. Together, we’ll design an efficient process for conducting, evaluating, implementing, and progress monitoring 504s.

Science of Reading for Administrators (Act 45 Course)
2025-09-19 09:00 - 12:30
This course is designed to provide administrators with in-depth knowledge and skills to support teachers with effective, evidence-based instruction aligned to principles of Science of Reading using a structured literacy approach. Participants will learn the big ideas of reading instruction, how to use tools in classroom observations to discover strengths and gaps in instruction at the classroom and school/district levels, implement structures that support student growth and achievement, and problem solve steps to enhance teaching and learning.
The 6-session course will provide administrators with a total of 41 Act 45 hours (21 in-class hours, 20 hours of outside assignments). Online synchronous only.
Price: $300 per person
2025-26 Meeting Dates:
September 19, October 17, December 12, January 9, February 13, March 13
Register
Contact Lisa Yonek if you have any questions.

Diagnostic Assessment in Mathematics
2025-09-18 08:30 - 15:00
This session will set the foundation for the yearlong series and focus on an overview of the data-based individualization process.

Executive Function 101
2025-09-18 08:00 - 09:00
Student success extends beyond academic skills as all children and youth require essential cognitive and behavioral skills to be prosperous at home, school and the community. Join this virtual, nine-part professional learning series focused on developing and integrating the two domains and 11 core skills of executive functioning in K–12 classrooms. Each session will spotlight one skill, offering a concise overview, classroom integration strategies, resource sharing, and collaborative discussion.

Elementary MTSS Networking and PLC Meetings
2025-09-17 10:00 - 11:00
Join us for a year-long virtual professional development series focused on Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) at the elementary level. Designed for teachers, principals, counselors, interventionists, and all school personnel who work with students in grades K-6, this monthly series explores how to effectively implement MTSS practices in elementary school settings.
Each session will dive into a specific topic under the MTSS umbrella—from foundational understanding and data-driven decision-making to intervention scheduling and evidence-based academic supports. The series features a blend of instructional guidance, practical tools, and guest speakers from leading intervention programs such as Spring Math, UFLI, and REWARDS.
Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine existing practices, these sessions will provide actionable strategies to support every student across all tiers.

The K-3 Reading Apprenticeship Model
2025-09-17 09:00 - 15:00 | Allegheny Intermediate Unit, East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, USA, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
Option 1: $3,800 per participant (includes 1-on-1 support)
Option 2: $2,800 per participant (no 1-on-1 support)
Series Length: 12 modules
Delivery Mode: Face-to-Face – 12 in-person sessions at the AIU on scheduled dates listed below
Developed with the primary teacher in mind, the Reading Achievement Center’s K-3 Reading Apprenticeship Model consists of 12 intensive, comprehensive training in reading pedagogy, theory, research, and proven instructional practices; meets requirements for PDE Chapter 49 Structured Literacy.
Option 1 only: Individualized data-driven planning and coaching to support teachers with meaningful implementation of content and strategies from sessions; virtual informal observations with feedback.
Administrators may accompany their registered participants to any or all sessions at no cost.
2025-26 Meeting Dates:
September 17, 18; October 15, 16; November 13, 20; December 9; January 14; February 12; March 11; April 17; May 14
Registration Link

Secondary MTSS Networking and PLC Meetings
2025-09-17 08:30 - 09:30
Join us for a year-long virtual professional development series focused on Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) at the secondary level. Designed for teachers, principals, counselors, interventionists, and all school personnel who work with students in grades 6–12, this monthly series explores how to effectively implement MTSS practices in middle and high school settings.
Each session will dive into a specific topic under the MTSS umbrella—from foundational understanding and data-driven decision-making to intervention scheduling and evidence-based academic supports. The series features a blend of instructional guidance, practical tools, and guest speakers from leading intervention programs such as VMath, TransMath, REWARDS, Third Quest, and PVAAS.
Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine existing practices, these sessions will provide actionable strategies to support every student across all tiers.

Text Dependent Analysis: Effective Instructional Practices
2025-09-16 09:00 - 15:00 | Allegheny Intermediate Unit, East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, USA, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
English Language Arts (Grades 4-8)

This Reading Achievement Center series focuses on effective teaching practices that help teachers help students overcome some of the biggest struggles with the text-dependent analysis portion of the PSSA, including instructional practices to support students with composing TDA on the online PSSA.
Price: $600 per person
2025-26 Meeting Dates:
September 16, October 28, December 8, January 29
Register for in-person course
Register for asynchronous online course

RAC Reading Specialists’ Network
2025-09-12 09:00 - 15:00 | Allegheny Intermediate Unit, East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, USA, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
Join the RAC Reading Specialists’ Network for an opportunity to connect with other reading specialists in Allegheny County. Each online session will feature research-based best practices and strategies that specialists need in order to be effective in their role as they work with students, teachers, and parents in all three tiers of literacy. The network is open to Reading Specialists who have participated in past networks as well as new participants.
Price: Free
2025-26 Meeting Dates:
September 12, November 21, February 6, April 10
Register

Workshop DLM: Plot the Path to Propel Progress
2025-09-12 08:00 - 17:00
Drop in the second Friday of each month to workshop your IEP goals, lesson plans, and instructional strategies for students with significant cognitive disabilities. This workshop is your go-to space for hands-on support, where special education consultants guide you in aligning your instruction with grade-level standards, while leveraging the Essential Elements and Linkage Levels from the Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM).
Together, we can:
– Review assessment resources
– Summarize data
– Align Essential Elements to IEP goals
– Connect data to instruction
– Plan for inclusion
– Explore Instructional Strategies
Whether you’re new to DLM or refining your approach, this is the place to connect with fellow educators, get personalized advice, and develop strategies for navigating the complexities of teaching students with significant cognitive disabilities.
Please note this is an open forum to receive instructional and IEP development support, this is NOT about the PA Alternate State Assessment (PASA).

OpenSciEd Middle School Curriculum Launch
2025-09-11 08:00 - 17:00 | Allegheny Intermediate Unit, East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, USA, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
This professional learning opportunity introduces middle grades science teachers to the OpenSciEd instructional materials in addition to a specific introductory unit for one grade level. As a result of this professional learning, teachers will understand the supports and routines embedded into the OpenSciEd units that align with the shifts called for by A Framework for K–12 Science Education (NRC, 2012) and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and PA STEELS standards. Included in this session are opportunities for teachers to:
Watch videos of students engaging with the OpenSciEd units
Hear teachers reflect on shifting their instruction with support from the units
Engage in the actual lessons of the unit as a student
Deepen their understanding of three-dimensional instruction and assessment
Overview of Agenda: Over the course of our three days together, we will address the following questions.
Day 1: What does it mean to use phenomena and questioning to support student sense making?
Day 2: How do we support instruction that is coherent for students?
Day 3: How do we support equitable discussions that move students’ science ideas forward?
An OPTIONAL Day 4 will be offered during the school year on October 2, 2025: How do you support and assess your students’ growth in three-dimensional learning?
Who: Middle School Science Educators or educators/administrator who support Middle School Science and are piloting or adopting the OpenSciEd Instructional Materials
Where: Allegheny Intermediate Unit (475 E. Waterfront Dr., Homestead, PA 15120)
Note: If you teach in a high-needs school district in Southwestern PA, please reach out to Corinne Murawski or Michael Fierle for more information regarding tuition defrayment provided by Arconic Foundation.
Fall, 2025 Dates: Four Thursdays in a row beginning September 11, 2025 and continuing through October 2, 2025

Instructional Coaches’ Network
2025-09-10 09:00 - 15:00
Network Series Length: 9 sessions
Join a network of fellow instructional coaches for monthly professional learning workshops provided by Heather Moschetta, instructional coach mentor for the PA Coach-Mentor Collaborative, and Rachel McVeagh, AIU instructional innovation coordinator. Sessions will feature professional learning specific to the needs of instructional coaches, on topics determined by the network group and supported by PDE initiatives. The network is open to all coaches in the AIU’s member districts, including literacy coaches, math coaches, technology coaches and instructional coaches. Contact Heather at heather.moschetta@aiu3.net for information on how to join.
Price: Free
2025-26 Meeting Dates:
September 10, October 15, November 6, December 9, January 22, February 18, March 17, April 14, May 7

Local Task Force 3 Meeting
2025-09-03 18:30 - 20:30 | https://www.aiu3.net/event/local-task-force-3-meeting/
Local Task Force 3 Meetings are VIRTUAL only.
Link to Online Meeting will be sent to Task Force members.

Emotional Support Administrator Overview
2025-08-06 09:00 - 11:00
This session will provide district and building-level administrators with valuable insights into the components of Quality Indicators for Emotional Support Services and Programs. During the training, administrators will gain an overview of both systemic and individualized practices, equipping teams with the knowledge to effectively implement emotional supports and services in their schools. Leaders will receive a roadmap detailing the ongoing TaC support that will be provided for school-based teams during the 2025-26 school year.

Board of Directors Meeting
2025-06-23 18:15 - 20:00
2024-2025 AIU Board of Director Meeting Dates
All AIU board meetings begin at 6:15 p.m. in the McGuffey Room, with the exception of the November meeting, which begins at 5:30 p.m. All board executive sessions begin at 5 p.m. in the Rogers Room. There are no meetings in July or December. The board will meet on the following dates:
Monday, August 26, 2024
Monday, September 23, 2024
Monday, October 28, 2024
Monday, November 25, 2024
Monday, January 27, 2025
Monday, February 24, 2025
Monday, March 24, 2025
Monday, April 28, 2025
Monday, May 19, 2025
Monday, June 23, 2025

AIU-Operated Special Education Schools – Last Day of School
2025-06-05
AIU-Operated Special Education Schools, Mon Valley, Pathfinder and Sunrise end the 2024-25 school year today.

AIU-Operated Special Education Schools – Pathfinder Graduation
2025-06-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Pathfinder School, 50 Donati Road, Bethel Park, PA, 15102, United States
Pathfinder School will have their Graduation Ceremony. Time 10:00 am.

AIU-Operated Special Education Schools – Sunrise Graduation
2025-06-03 19:00 - 20:00 | Sunrise School, 550 Aura Drive, Monroeville, PA, 15146, United States
Sunrise School will have their Graduation Ceremony. Time 7:00 pm.

OpenSciEd Elementary Curriculum Launch
2025-06-03 08:00 - 15:00
This three-day professional learning opportunity introduces grades K-5 teachers (or administrators/coaches supporting elementary science) to the OpenSciEd instructional materials in addition to a specific introductory unit for one grade level. As a result of this professional learning, teachers will understand the supports and routines embedded into the OpenSciEd Elementary units that align with the shifts called for by A Framework for K–12 Science Education (NAS, 2012), the Next Generation Science Standards, and the PA STEELS Standards.
Who should attend this offering? Elementary School Science Educators or Administrators who support Elementary School Science and are piloting or adopting the OpenSciEd Instructional Materials; Intermediate Unit Colleagues who support implementation of high-quality science instructional materials and provide the professional learning to buttress such implementation; Professional Learning Providers who will support OSE Elementary.
Included in this session are opportunities for teachers to:
– Deepen their understanding of three-dimensional instruction and assessment
– Engage in the actual lessons of the unit as a student
– Watch videos of students engaging with the OpenSciEd units
Overview of Agenda: Over the course of our three days together, we will address the following questions.
What does it mean to use phenomena and questioning to support student sense making in science?
How do we support instruction that is coherent for students, even in the early grades?
How do we support equitable discussions that move students’ science ideas forward in the elementary grades?
How do you support and assess your students’ growth ?
Note: If you teach in a high-needs school district, please reach out to Corinne Murawski (corinne.murawski@aiu3.net) or Michael Fierle (michael.fierle@aiu3.net) for more information regarding tuition defrayment provided by Arconic Foundation.
When: Tuesday – Thursday, June 3-5 from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM each day. Lunch will be provided.
Where: Allegheny Intermediate Unit; 475 E. Waterfront Dr., Homestead, PA 15120
