Allegheny Intermediate Unit

Science of Reading for Administrators (Act 45 Course)
2025-09-19 09:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | PA
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.

Navigating 504s
2025-09-24 08:30 - 15:00 | PA
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.

Emotional Support Teacher Training
2025-09-25 08:30 - 15:30, 2025-10-21 08:30 - 09:30 | PA
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.

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

25-26 Transition Council of Allegheny County (TCCAC) Meeting Series
2025-09-30 08:30 - 14:30 | PA
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.

Schema-Based Instruction in Mathematics
2025-09-30 08:30 - 15:00 | PA
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.

Check and Connect: Building Connection Through Mentoring at Tier 2 & 3
2025-10-01 09:00 - 11:30 | PA
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.

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.

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

LETRS Volume 2
2025-10-02 09:00 - 15:30 | PA
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

Getting It Right from the Start
2025-10-03 08:00 - 09:00 | PA
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.”

Environmental Literacy & Sustainability Symposium; Beyond the Field Trip
2025-10-03 08:30 - 15:00 | Allegheny Intermediate Unit, East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, USA, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
Join us for a dynamic one-day symposium centered on Environmental Literacy and Sustainability (PA STEELS) in K–12 Education.

Join us for a dynamic one-day symposium centered on Environmental Literacy and Sustainability (PA STEELS) in K–12 Education, designed to empower educators with the tools, strategies, and inspiration to integrate environmental awareness into their teaching. This event brings together educators, environmental experts, and community leaders to explore innovative approaches to sustainability education across all grade levels.
The symposium will feature presentations from leading voices in environmental education, a variety of sessions tailored to both elementary and secondary educators, and collaborative sessions that highlight real-world, place-based learning opportunities. Participants will gain access to resources, strategies for fostering student agency in environmental stewardship, and practical ideas for creating more sustainable school communities that extend well beyond a field trip.
Whether you’re just beginning your journey in environmental education or looking to deepen your practice, this symposium offers a unique opportunity to connect with peers, learn from practitioners, and leave equipped to inspire the next generation of environmentally literate citizens.

Advanced Tiers Academy: Deepening Implementation at Tier 2 and 3
2025-10-06 08:30 - 15:30 | PA
This academy is designed for participants looking to strengthen and deepen their implementation of Tier 2 and Tier 3 social, emotional, and behavioral interventions. Participants will select two targeted interventions to explore in-depth through focused morning and afternoon sessions. Throughout the day, participants will enhance their intervention menus, improve progress monitoring systems, and ensure alignment with existing PBIS/MTSS frameworks. Whether you’re developing new interventions or refining existing ones, this academy offers a step-by-step roadmap for effective and sustainable intervention implementation.

Thinking through the Pencil
2025-10-08 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)

Thinking Through the Pencil is designed to build students’ critical thinking skills through writing. Participants engage in instructional practices based on current research in this Reading Achievement Center series.
Price: $600 per person

2025-26 Meeting Dates:
October 8, December 16, January 28, February 24
Register for in-person course
Register for asynchronous online course

EBP's in Mathematics: Assisting Elementary Students Struggling with Mathematics
2025-10-09 08:30 - 15:00 | PA
This practice guide provides evidence-based practices that can help teachers tailor their instructional approaches and/or their mathematics intervention programs to meet the needs of their students. https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/PracticeGuide/26

Workshop DLM: Plot the Path to Propel Progress
2025-10-10 08:00 - 17:00 | PA
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).

Functional Behavior Assessment to Positive Behavior Support Plans: Assessing Behavior & Designing Effective Interventions
2025-10-14 08:30 - 15:30 | PA
This series is designed to build internal capacity within schools for staff to conduct Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) and develop positive behavior support plans (PBSPs). Across three full days all steps of the FBA & PBSP process will be explored. Time will be allotted to discuss function-based interventions, crisis planning, and implementation fidelity. Participants will be expected to attend all in -person sessions as content connects and builds from one topic to the next.

Secondary Science Institute (Course 1/Introductory), Fall 2025
2025-10-14 08:30 - 15:30 | Allegheny Intermediate Unit, East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, USA, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
Content foci are primarily life science and physical science, with some Earth & space science.

Who: Open to all grades 6-12 science teachers (e.g., life science, physical science, Earth & space science, biology, chemistry, physics, etc. in middle school or high school)
When: October 14, November 6, and November 17, 2025
Where: In-person at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit
Price: Free to Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU)districts; Non-AIU districts: $450 (School district will be invoiced.)
Administrators are strongly encouraged to attend with the teacher(s) from their district/building
Attendees will develop a shared understanding of phenomenon-based and problem-driven science teaching and learning that effectively incorporates all three dimensions of the science standards (disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, & crosscutting concepts) and provides equitable, inclusive instruction.
Participants will engage, as learners and as teachers, with the pedagogical practices that foster reasoning and sense-making in the science classroom and support equity and access for all students. They will also gain access to tools and resources for the teaching and learning of science at their grade band as they become familiar with what instruction in science looks and feels like when implementing the science standards from PA STEELS.
Over the course of the three days, participants will explore the science standards from the PA Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability (STEELS) standards within the middle school and high school grade bands.
Act 48 hours will be awarded pending approval by PDE for those who attend all sessions and complete all related assignments.

If you previously attended the Physical Science Institute or the Life Science Institute during SY 2022-23 or 2023-24, this institute will be repetitive for you. Instead, register for the Course 2; K-12 Science Institute offered this fall.

Questions? Contact Dr. Corinne Murawski, corinne.murawski@aiu3.net, 412-394-4629

Elementary Science Institute (Course 1/Introductory), Fall 2025
2025-10-14 08:30 - 15:30 | Allegheny Intermediate Unit, East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, USA, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
Content foci include life science, physical science, and Earth & space science.

Who: Open to all grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 science teachers and STEM teachers as well as special educators supporting science
When: October 14, November 6, and November 17, 2025 from 8:30 – 3:30
Where: In-person at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit
Price: Free to Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU)districts; Non-AIU districts: $450 (School district will be invoiced.)
Administrators are strongly encouraged to attend with the teacher(s) from their district/building
Attendees will develop a shared understanding of phenomenon-based and problem-driven science teaching and learning that effectively incorporates all three dimensions of the science standards (disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, & crosscutting concepts) and provides equitable, inclusive instruction.
Participants will engage, as learners and as teachers, with the pedagogical practices that foster reasoning and sense-making in the science classroom and support equity and access for all students. They will also gain access to tools and resources for science teaching and learning at their grade band as they become familiar with what instruction in life, physical, and Earth/space science looks and feels like when implementing the science standards from PA STEELS.
Over the course of the three days, participants will explore the progression of the science standards from the PA Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability (STEELS) standards within their grade band.
Act 48 hours will be awarded pending approval by PDE for those who attend all sessions and complete all related assignments.

If you previously attended the K-2 STEM Institute or the Grades 3-5 Science Institute during SY 2022-23 or 2023-24, this institute will be repetitive for you. Instead, register for the Course 2; K-12 Science Institute offered this fall.

Questions? Contact Dr. Corinne Murawski, corinne.murawski@aiu3.net, 412-394-4629

Secondary MTSS Networking and PLC Meetings
2025-10-15 08:30 - 09:30 | PA
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.

Elementary MTSS Networking and PLC Meetings
2025-10-15 10:00 - 11:00 | PA
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.

Executive Function 101
2025-10-16 08:00 - 09:00 | PA
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.

AT Making - Solder, Switches, & Stuffing
2025-10-20 08:30 - 15:30 | Allegheny Intermediate Unit, East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, USA, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
Learn how to solder, and create fun, accessible tech projects that adapt toys and empower all students!

Description
Are you looking for projects that your school’s STEAM program or club can use to develop and hone basic making skills? Are you curious about additional, real-life applications for the tools and skills your students are learning? Are you wondering how toys can be hacked to make them more accessible to children with physical disabilities?
This hands-on workshop will introduce participants to assistive technology making skills to create usable access products. Participants will learn basic soldering to join wire segments and assemble electrical components for use in a variety of assistive technology applications. Those skills – along with some 3D-printed parts – will be applied to create a mechanical switch that could be used by an individual with physical disabilities. Each participant will also make a battery interrupter and switch-adapt an electronic toy that can be used with the scratch-built switch. Participants are encouraged to bring a reusable shopping bag to carry completed projects home at the end of the day.
Background | The AIU is a proud contributor to the 412 Ability Tech Ecosystem
What to Bring | A reusable shopping bag to carry completed projects home
Who Should Attend | General education teachers, special education teachers, assistive technology specialists, occupational therapists, and other accessibility-minded individuals (Beginners are welcome – no previous making experience is required)

Amplifying Student Voice: Podcasting & More with SLB Radio
2025-10-21 08:30 - 14:00 | SLB Radio Productions Inc, 10 Children's Way, Pittsburgh, PA, 15212, United States
Use podcasting in your classroom to boost student expression, conversation skills, empathy, and civil discourse.

Description
Looking for new ways to document, share, and celebrate the voices of your students? Spend a day at the SLB Radio Youth Media Center and explore how to include podcasting and other audio projects in your curriculum. Discover how audio can help students document their learning journey, demonstrate subject mastery, sharpen skills such as self-expression and collaboration, and serve as a powerful tool for advocacy.
During this interactive workshop, educators will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on recording sessions in the SLB studios as they learn about recording equipment and technologies, explore classroom project possibilities, and network.
Background | SLB Radio Productions, Inc. uses radio and audio to amplify voices of youth — and members of other communities whose stories are often marginalized — to educate, empower, and build community. Learn more at slbradio.org.
Who Should Attend | Educators working with students in grades 4-12
Lunch will be provided.
Special Location | SLB Radio, 10 Children’s Way, PIttsburgh, PA 15212 (co-located within the Children’s Museum)

Word Wizards: English Language Arts (Grades 3-12)
2025-10-21 09:00 - 15:00 | Allegheny Intermediate Unit, East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, USA, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
Build your students into word wizards! This Reading Achievement Center workshop series presents teachers in grades 3-12 with research and practical strategies to strengthen students’ word knowledge, through both indirect vocabulary exposure and direct vocabulary instruction.
Price: $450 per person
2025-26 Meeting Dates:
October 21, January 8, February 10
Register for in-person course
Register for asynchronous online course

Elementary MTSS Reading Tier 2-3 Intervention Systems
2025-10-23 08:30 - 15:30 | PA
Elementary school teams will develop, refine, and evaluate tiered reading intervention systems and practices in order to improve outcomes for learners. Content will be provided to enhance the effectiveness of advanced tiers’ teaming, assessment processes, data interpretation, and intervention selection and delivery. Products will include data meeting agendas, assessment and intervention protocols, and draft MTSS Handbook sections.
Registration:
This is a team training series. School teams are requested to keep attendance to no more than four (4) per building. District administrators may attend without an assigned team.
Required team members: Building Administrator, Interventionist or Coach

Empowering Students to Design Their Learning Space (Student Opportunity!)
2025-10-23 10:30 - 13:30 | Allegheny Intermediate Unit, East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, USA, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
Students become designers as they re-imagine learning spaces through creativity, empathy, and teamwork.

DescriptionIn this hands-on, creative workshop, students will step into the role of designers to reimagine their ideal learning environment. Guided by the principles of empathy, collaboration, and innovation, students will explore what makes a space effective for learning and engagement. Alongside their teachers or administrators, they will be led through the design thinking process—reflecting on their needs as learners, identifying challenges in current environments, and prototyping solutions that support focus, creativity, comfort, and interaction. Students will also design layout concepts and present their ideas to other participants in this authentic experience.
*When registering, there is no need to enter student names, simply complete one registration per school (even if there are two adults attending).
Background | The mission of Fluxspace is to help educators, schools, and organizations experience the future of learning environments and understand the innovative programs, products, experiences, and mindsets that should take place in them.
What to Bring | 4-5 students (K-12); photos and/or drawings of a space you’d like to redesign
Who Should Attend | K-12 educators and their students
Lunch will be provided.
Special Location | Fluxspace Experience Center, 401 Greentree Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15220 (Parking Available)

AIU Career Meet & Greet: Family and Community Education Services
2025-10-25 09:00 - 12:00 | Steel Valley Family Center, 304 East 8th Avenue, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
Join the AIU at our Career Meet & Greet at Steel Valley Family Center on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. to noon, to learn about available positions on the AIU’s Family & Community Education team.

A variety of positions are available throughout the program, including:

Family Development Specialists (Penn Hills, Tarentum, Clairton)
Fatherhood Facilitator (Homestead)
Case Managers – Teen Parenting Program (Duquesne)
Part-Time Adult Educators – ESL (Carnegie)
Part-Time Adult Educators – Community GED (Homestead)
Administrative Support, Corrections (Allegheny County Jail)
Bilingual Family Development/Case Manager (McKeesport)j
Part-Time Bilingual Navigator (McKeesport)
Part-Time Evening Adult Family Literacy Educator (Carnegie)
Part-Time Adult Education Instructor (Allegheny County Jail)

We welcome you to drop by and learn more about how you can support the community in these roles.

Administrator-Focused Science Professional Learning
2025-10-28 08:00 - 2025-10-29 15:30 | Allegheny Intermediate Unit, East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, USA, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
This administrator-focused PL offering was specifically designed to help leaders support shifts in science instruction towards PA STEELS

Who: Any and all administrators (district or building) or explicitly defined science leaders (e.g., department head, coach, grade-level lead) are invited to attend
When: October 28-29, 2025 from 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Where: Allegheny Intermediate Unit, 475 E. Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA 15120
Price: $350
What: The Principals Learn and Network to Support 3-Dimensional Science Learning (PLANS) is an interactive experience emphasizing Instructional leadership and active support for K-12 science and STEM teachers at both the building and district level. This pathway is specifically created for instructional leaders interested in knowing more about and figuring out constructive strategies for supporting teachers and students as they make shifts in their teaching and learning towards phenomenon-based, three-dimensional science.
PLANS participants are immersed in actively learning in ways that NGSS , PA STEELS standards, and education research calls for students to learn science in the classroom. Administrators experience firsthand what it feels, looks, and sounds like when K-12 students are figuring out why phenomena happen as well as representing their thinking through modeling and productive classroom talk. Administrators use some of the important tools for making thinking public that teachers and students use in NGSS-designed units. Then, administrators have opportunities to reflect together on what it means for students and teachers to work together as a community —- and how they can support this work themselves.
Throughout the experience, participants consider the ways in which their school can begin (or continue) to make these shifts. They see examples of students engaged in NGSS-designed learning in classrooms, as well as administrators supporting teachers as they begin to implement the changes called for by NGSS. They explore concrete tools they can use to support teachers (for example, in planning meetings, observations, and debriefs), and they begin to plan how they might use these tools themselves.
The shifts motivated by the National Research Council’s Framework for K-12 Science Education (NAS, 2012), the NGSS and PA STEELS standards are substantial. Yet we know that these shifts are possible for teachers to make. We also know that the shifts are productive for student learning, and they must be supported through pedagogy and classroom culture. Instructional leadership and active support at the building and district level is an important part of a successful outcome for teachers of science and for their students!
Tech: Please bring a laptop and/or tablet to access online resources.
