A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Pennsylvania

Team Report

Pennsylvania has developed academic standards in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening which have rigor, measurability, application to life, and clarity for parents and the community. These standards emphasize letter sound associations, comprehension, fluency and sentence writing in early reading. State regulations require districts to provide intervention and assistance to students who are not attaining a level of proficiency on the standards. To assist school districts in this intervention plan, the Department of Education provides technical assistance through several initiatives: (1) Standards Awareness Project, a school reform program using the Trainer of Trainers model, (2) Governor?s Institutes for Teachers, a professional development opportunity for teachers to improve content knowledge and teaching strategies, and (3) Classroom Connections, a kit developed by teachers for teachers to facilitate the alignment of curriculum, instruction and assessment. Funding will target early literacy programs that are research-proven, intensive and complement the schools? comprehensive reading programs.

A Pennsylvania Success Story

1. Classroom Connections, a kit developed for teachers by teachers, provides classroom materials and strategies that teachers can use to improve their students? ability to reach a proficient level on the state standards and assessments in reading, writing and mathematics. A CD-Rom has extra materials for special learning activities, information for administrators and parents, and Internet resources.
2. Primary Level Assessment System (PLAS) is a state project to provide a model that supports a child-centered classroom assessment system based on best practices in early childhood education. The new model of curriculum integrates instruction and assessment in a seamless cycle. PLAS includes indicators of progress in reading, writing, and mathematics from the emerging level to the end of the primary grades.

For further information, contact:

Classroom Connections: PLAS:
Michael J. Kozup, Director Robert Gundling, PLAS Coordinator
Bureau of Curriculum and Academic Services Division of Evaluation and Reports
PA Department of Education PA Department of Education
333 Market St., 8^th Floor 333 Market St., 8^th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126 Harrisburg, PA 17126
(717) 787-8913 (717) 783-6638
(717) 783-3946 Fax (717) 783-3946 Fax
E-mail: mkozup@education.state.pa.us
E-mail: rgundling@education.state.pa.us

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