Frontline Education

1. Act 48 Network Series: Reading Specialists' Network 2025-26

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: READING SPECIALISTS IN GRADES K-12

Dates: 9/12/2025 to 4/10/2026

Join the RAC Reading Specialists' Network for an opportunity to connect with other reading specialists in Allegheny County. Each 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. Sessions will be held in a hybrid format, giving participants the option to join in person at the AIU or via Zoom. There is no charge for this network series.

2. ACT 48 Workshop: IDEA and Rethinking Eligibility for Speech-Language Impairment

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: AIU Speech/Language Support Program SLPs and Invited Guests Only

Dates: 9/12/2025

New

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT (IN 100 WORDS OR LESS): This virtual training will address utilizing IDEA assessment and eligibility criteria to impact caseload. Topics included will consist of: Factors that contribute to elevated caseloads, IDEA requirements for evaluation, eligibility, exclusionary criteria, adverse educational impact, specially designed instruction, and evidence-based assessment. LEARNING OUTCOMES: 1. State key features of eligibility according to the IDEA. 2. Discuss current research regarding norm-based assessment tools. 3. Outline the seven federal requirements for evaluation according to IDEA.

3. ONLINE Act 48 PD Series: Text-Dependent Analysis PART 2 2025-26

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: ELA teachers in grades 4-8

Dates: 9/15/2025 to 3/1/2026

This three-module 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, examine student work, and use the TDA Learning Progressions to make instructional decisions. Cost: $450 per participant. Districts will be invoiced after the first module opens. When registering, please select "Purchase Order” as your payment method if the district is to be invoiced for the cost of the workshop. By registering, you certify that you have obtained supervisor permission to participate in this workshop, and your supervisor is aware of the professional development fee.

4. ONLINE Act 48 PD Series: Text-Dependent Analysis: Effective Instructional Practices 2025-26

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: ELA teachers in grades 4-8

Dates: 9/15/2025 to 1/2/2026

This fully online four-module series focuses on effective teaching practices for helping students overcome some of the biggest struggles with the text dependent analysis (TDA) portion of the PSSA. Sessions will focus on teaching students how to understand the prompt, read and write for analysis, determine the best evidence, and craft the essay. Participants will engage in modeled research-based and classroom-tested activities to strengthen their own instruction. Cost: $600 per participant. Districts will be invoiced after the first module opens. When registering, please select "Purchase Order” as your payment method if the district is to be invoiced for the cost of the workshop. By registering, you certify that you have obtained supervisor permission to attend this workshop, and your supervisor is aware of the professional development fee.

5. ACT 48 Workshop: Emotional Support Teacher Training - Day 1

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Special Education Teachers

Dates: 9/16/2025

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.

In the first of a 2-day session, participants will learn about the key characteristics of emotional disturbance and develop a background of the trauma-informed practices that support students with ED. Participants will also learn about the function of students' behavior and engage in activities around how to set up their physical classroom space as well as their classroom expectations, rules, and routines to support student learning.

Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

6. Act 48 Workshop - PD Series: Text-Dependent Analysis: Effective Instructional Practices 2025-26

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: ELA Teachers in Grades 4-8

Dates: 9/16/2025 to 1/29/2026

This four-day series focuses on effective teaching practices for helping students overcome some of the biggest struggles with the text dependent analysis (TDA) portion of the PSSA. Sessions will focus on teaching students how to understand the prompt, read and write for analysis, determine the best evidence, and craft the essay. Participants will engage in modeled research-based and classroom-tested activities to strengthen their own instruction. Cost: $600 per participant. Districts will be invoiced after the first session. When registering, please select "Purchase Order” as your payment method if the district is to be invoiced for the cost of the workshop. By registering, you certify that you have obtained supervisor permission to attend this workshop, and your supervisor is aware of the professional development fee.

7. ACT 48 Workshop - PD Series: K-3 Reading Apprenticeship 2025-26

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: ELA Teachers in Grades K-3

Dates: 9/17/2025 to 5/14/2026

The K-3 Reading Apprenticeship Model is a unique professional development model that supports primary reading teachers with the knowledge, skills, best practices and on-site support in teaching all students to be skilled readers and writers. This professional development opportunity consists of initial intensive, comprehensive training in reading history, pedagogy, theory, research and proven instructional practice and monthly follow-up trainings to build breadth and depth of professional knowledge in the English Language Arts. Teachers meet for 12 sessions at the AIU and additional technical support takes place at each site. Cost: $3,800 per participant (with onsite coaching and technical support) or $2,800 (no coaching and technical support). Districts will be invoiced after the first session. When registering, please select "Purchase Order” as your payment method if the district is to be invoiced for the cost of the workshop. By registering, you certify that you have obtained supervisor permission to participate in this workshop, and your supervisor is aware of the professional development fee.

8. ACT 48 Workshop: Diagnostic Assessment in Mathematics

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Special Education Teacher, General Education Teacher, Interventionists & Coaches

Dates: 9/18/2025 to 1/20/2026

This yearlong professional learning program is designed to build educators' capacity to effectively use diagnostic assessment as part of the Data-Based Individualization (DBI) process in mathematics. Grounded in evidence-based practices, the training supports teachers in identifying and addressing the specific instructional needs of students who are not making adequate progress in their current math interventions. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

9. Leadership Course - Science of Reading for Administrators 2025-26

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Administrators - elementary

Dates: 9/19/2025 to 3/13/2026

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 and how to use tools in classroom observations to discover strengths and gaps in instruction at the classroom and school/district levels. Administrators will also analyze structures in place that support keeping an eye on student growth and achievement, reflect upon effectiveness observed, and problem solve next steps to enhance teaching and learning. Participants earn 40 Act 45 credits: 18 in-class and 22 job-embedded hours.

10. Structured Literacy Training: ESL Teachers 2025-26

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Teachers of English learners

Dates: 9/23/2025

Allegheny Intermediate Unit's Reading Achievement Center presents relevant professional development that meets Chapter 49 structured literacy requirements and is tailored to meet the literacy needs of different certificate holders' classrooms. This session is tailored to teachers of English learners.

11. ACT 48 Workshop: Navigating 504s: Comprehensive Guidance for School Teams

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Special Education Liaisons , School Counselors , School Psychologists , Social Workers , Building Principals, Other Building Level Admin

Dates: 9/24/2025

Please join the Allegheny Intermediate Unit's Training & Consultation Team for this In Person Training. This Chapter 504 Process professional development has been streamlined and tailored for school district teams, including 504 administrators, coordinators, and other vested partners. 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 504 plans Intended Audience: Principals, special education liaisons, school counselors, school psychologists, social workers, other building and district level administrators Participant Information: This training will be offered twice. Please register for only one session. 5 (five) Act 48 hours will be awarded after the training. There is no cost to attend this training. Educators who work for LEAs in the AIU3 region will have priority registration. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

12. ACT 48 Workshop: Emotional Support Teacher Training - Day 2

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Special Education Teachers

Dates: 9/25/2025

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.

In the second session, participants will learn more about trauma-informed approaches through the lens of social-emotional learning and Pennsylvania's Career Ready Skills Continuum. Participants will also be given strategies for how to teach students the necessary skills aligned with Pennsylvania's continuum. The second half of this session will be dedicated to designing systems for acknowledging student behavior and developing a continuum of responses to student behavior.

Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

13. Act 48 Workshop - PD Series: Text-Dependent Analysis: Effective Instructional Practices PART 2 2025-26

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: ELA Teachers in Grades 4-8

Dates: 9/25/2025 to 3/3/2026

This three-session 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, examine student work, and use the TDA Learning Progressions to make instructional decisions. Cost: $450 per participant. Districts will be invoiced after the first session. When registering, please select "Purchase Order” as your payment method if the district is to be invoiced for the cost of the workshop. By registering, you certify that you have obtained supervisor permission to attend this workshop, and your supervisor is aware of the professional development fee.

14. ACT48 Workshop: The Right to Be Heard & Understood

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Special Education Teachers, Speech Language Pathologists

Dates: 9/29/2025

This training session is designed for teachers and speech-language therapists working with students who have cognitive or neurodevelopmental disabilities and complex learning and language needs-particularly those with emerging language skills. Participants will gain an understanding of the foundations of language and physical development, along with their implications for supporting communication for these learners. Throughout the training participants will: -Understand core verbal behavior terminology and its role in language development. -Explore techniques in aided language stimulation and effective language modeling. -Learn to apply descriptive language strategies across various classroom settings to support communication growth. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

15. ACT 48 Workshop: Schema-based Instruction: Additive (Addition and Subtraction) Schemas

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Special Education Teacher, General Education Teacher, Interventionists & Coaches

Dates: 9/30/2025

Solving mathematical word problems is an ongoing problem for students with both reading and math learning disabilities, as well as students who do not have an identified learning disability. Schema-based instruction is a problem-solving strategy that emphasizes identifying the underlying structure or schema to create a visual representation of the important information in order to be able to solve the problem.

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.

Participants are free to mix and match sessions to fit their availability, the fall session is repeated in the spring.

Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

16. ACT 48 Workshop: Transition Council of Allegheny County (TCCAC) Meeting Series 2025-26

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Special Education Teachers, School Counselors, School Psychologists, Social Workers, Transition Coordinators, Other Building Level Admin, Special Education Liaisons, Building Principals, Parents & Families

Dates: 9/30/2025

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. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

17. Structured Literacy Training: Non-ELA Certificate Holders 2025-26

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Upper elementary and middle school non-ELA teachers; those holding certificates that require structured literacy training but are not currently using that certificate.

Dates: 9/30/2025

Allegheny Intermediate Unit's Reading Achievement Center presents relevant professional development that meets Chapter 49 structured literacy requirements and is tailored to meet the literacy needs of different certificate holders' classrooms. This session is tailored to certificate holders who are required to take structured literacy training but not teaching ELA (for example, middle school non-ELA certificate holders) or those holding a certificate but not using it (for example, a high school teacher who is special education certified but not teaching special education classes).

18. ONLINE Act 48 PD Series: Adolescent Literacy Institute 2025-26

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Middle and high school reading and English teachers

Dates: 10/1/2025 to 1/2/2026

The Adolescent Literacy Institute is a series of online modules for middle and high school teachers focused on research-based literacy practices that support students as they become college and career ready. Specifically aligned with brain research on how adolescents learn, this workshop series engages participants in the research behind and modeling of effective reading and writing instruction for the secondary grades. Cost: $600 per participant. Districts will be invoiced after the first module opens. When registering, please select "Purchase Order” as your payment method if the district is to be invoiced for the cost of the workshop. By registering, you certify that you have obtained supervisor permission to participate in this workshop, and your supervisor is aware of the professional development fee.

19. ONLINE Act 48 PD Series: Keys to Comprehension 2025-26

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Reading and ELA teachers in grades 3-8

Dates: 10/1/2025 to 1/2/2026

This professional development series consists of four online modules that focus exclusively on the literacy domain of reading comprehension. Targeted for teachers in grades 3 to 8, the content is directly aligned with the PA Core standards and state test expectations. Participants learn instructional techniques to unlock reading comprehension, applicable to both literature and informational text. Cost: $600 per participant. Districts will be invoiced after the first module opens. When registering, please select "Purchase Order” as your payment method if the district is to be invoiced for the cost of the workshop. By registering, you certify that you have obtained supervisor permission to participate in this workshop, and your supervisor is aware of the professional development fee.

20. ONLINE Act 48 PD Series: Thinking Through the Pencil 2025-26

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Reading and ELA teachers in grades 3-8

Dates: 10/1/2025 to 1/2/2026

This professional development series consists of four online modules designed to build students' critical thinking skills through writing. Designed for practical application in grades 4-8 ELA classrooms, participants engage in instructional practices based on current research on what makes a difference in student writing. Topics include teaching academic form, increasing the frequency of writing opportunities, providing effective and timely feedback, incorporating writing into reading, incorporating grammar instruction into reading and writing, conducting document reviews of student work, and teaching mode-specific writing to meet the writing requirements of the PA Core Standards. Cost: $600 per participant. Districts will be invoiced after the first module opens. When registering, please select "Purchase Order” as your payment method if the district is to be invoiced for the cost of the workshop. By registering, you certify that you have obtained supervisor permission to participate in this workshop, and your supervisor is aware of the professional development fee.

21. ACT 48 Workshop: Beyond Listening: Engaging Students Through Active Participation Techniques

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: General Education Teachers , Special Education Teachers, English Language Teachers, Paraeducators , Interventionists & Coaches , Reading Specialists

Dates: 10/2/2025

No matter how well you've crafted your lessons or how top-notch your adopted curriculum might be, educators must engage their students so they can access the content presented. Participants will learn strategies directly from Dr. Anita Archer's book Explicit Instruction and her Active Participation DVD Series, that support ways to engage all students in the classroom. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

22. ACT 48 Workshop - PD Series: Keys to Comprehension 2025-26

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Reading Teachers in Grades 3-8

Dates: 10/2/2025 to 2/12/2026

This professional development series consists of four sessions that focus exclusively on the literacy domain of reading comprehension. Targeted for teachers in grades 3 to 8, the content is directly aligned with the PA Core standards and state test expectations. Participants learn instructional techniques to unlock reading comprehension, applicable to both literature and informational text. Cost: $600 per participant. Districts will be invoiced after the first session. When registering, please select "Purchase Order” as your payment method if the district is to be invoiced for the cost of the workshop. By registering, you certify that you have obtained supervisor permission to participate in this workshop, and your supervisor is aware of the professional development fee.

23. ACT 48 Workshop: LETRS Volume 2

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: General Education Teachers, Special Education Teachers, English Language Teachers, Interventionists & Coaches, Reading Specialists, Speech Language Pathologists

Dates: 10/2/2025 to 4/16/2026

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 02, 2025 - Unit 5 The Mighty Word: Oral Language and Vocabulary (Rogers) December 17, 2025 - Unit 6 Digging for Meaning: Understanding Reading Comprehension (Rogers) February 19, 2026- Unit 7 Text-Driven Comprehension Instruction (Sullivan) April 16, 2026 - Unit 8 The Reading-Writing Connection (IMS) 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: $399 per participant Includes Volume 2 manual and one year of online access Invoicing will be processed at first session NEW: Participants are responsible for ordering their own materials Ordering directions: https://bit.ly/LETRSordering

24. ACT 48 Workshop: EF Sleuths: Cracking the Case of Executive Function Skills with Little Learners in Literacy, Math & More!

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: General Education Teachers, Special Education Teachers, Grades K-2

Dates: 10/2/2025 to 3/27/2026

A Detective-Inspired PD Series for K-2 Teachers Grab your magnifying glass-it's time to crack the case on executive function! In this engaging, clue-filled PD series, you'll become an EF sleuth, uncovering how skills like working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control are the hidden keys to student success. In each "case file" we will explore how executive function impacts student performance in reading, writing, mathematics, overall daily interactions and classroom routines. With tips for optimizing instructional minutes, you'll leave with tools that make every moment count-without adding extra work. Get ready to solve the executive function mystery and bring clarity, calm, and confidence to your classroom! Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

25. ACT 48 Workshop: Restorative Practices: Fundamentals and Community Circles

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: General Education Teachers, Special Education Teachers, Interventionists & Coaches, School Counselors, School Psychologists, Social Workers, Building Principals, Other Building Level Admin, Special Education Liaisons

Dates: 10/7/2025 to 10/8/2025

In this session, participants will gain a foundational understanding of restorative practices, with a particular focus on the use of community circles to build relationships and foster a sense of belonging. We will explore key concepts such as the Social Discipline Window, the logistics and structure of effective community circles, and the full continuum of restorative practices-from informal conversations to formal restorative conferencing. Additionally, participants will examine how restorative practices align with and enhance a PBIS framework to create a more supportive and inclusive school climate. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

26. ACT 48 Workshop: PD Series: Thinking Through the Pencil 2025-26

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: ELA and Writing Teachers in Grades 3-8

Dates: 10/8/2025 to 2/24/2026

Thinking Through the Pencil is a four-session workshop series designed to build students' critical thinking skills through writing. Designed for practical application in grades 4-8 ELA classrooms, participants engage in instructional practices based on current research on what makes a difference in student writing. Topics include teaching academic form, increasing the frequency of writing opportunities, providing effective and timely feedback, incorporating writing into reading, incorporating grammar instruction into reading and writing, conducting document reviews of student work, and teaching mode-specific writing to meet the writing requirements of the PA Core Standards. Cost: $600 per participant. Districts will be invoiced after the first session. When registering, please select "Purchase Order” as your payment method if the district is to be invoiced for the cost of the workshop. By registering, you certify that you have obtained supervisor permission to participate in this workshop, and your supervisor is aware of the professional development fee.

27. ACT 48 Workshop: The Reevaluation Process: Best Practices for Developing Effective and Compliant Reports

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Special Education Teachers, Special Education Liaisons

Dates: 10/9/2025

This training provides school staff with a clear framework for developing Reevaluation Reports (RRs) that are both compliant and meaningful for instructional planning. Topics include distinguishing compliance from purpose, managing timelines, selecting and interpreting assessments, determining the need for additional data, making actionable recommendations for IEP teams, and addressing specific requirements for students with learning disabilities. Participants will leave with practical tools to create RRs that support both legal standards and student-centered decision-making. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

28. ACT 48 Workshops: EBP's in Mathematics (FALL or SPRING)

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Special Education Teachers, General Education Teacher, Interventionists & Coaches

Dates: 10/9/2025

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. Participants should only register for the Fall or Spring training, as this is a repeated training. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

29. ACT 48 Workshop: Addressing Antisemitism in the Educational Spaces

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Classroom Social Studies, ELA, teachers, School Counselors; School-Based Administrators

Dates: 10/13/2025

This workshop provides tools to understand and teach about contemporary antisemitism. Participants will examine its forms, functions, and consequences, as well as the historic roots of anti-Jewish hatred and how it manifests today, particularly in the U.S. To provide context, the session includes a brief overview of Jewish beliefs, customs, and diverse expressions of Jewishness, along with the Jewish connection to Israel. Interactive activities-such as analyzing media and planning responses to antisemitic incidents-support social problem-solving skills and align with the PA Career Readiness Skills. This workshop also fulfills the requirements of Act 70 of 2014.

30. ACT 48 Workshop: In the Footsteps of History - Social Studies for the Digital Generation

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Social Studies Teachers

Dates: 10/13/2025

In the Footsteps of History is an immersive social studies program that brings history to life through the excitement of adventure and exploration. Delivering a seamless blend of technology*, investigation, and academic rigor, this groundbreaking program takes students on captivating multimedia journeys led by renowned modern-day explorers. Crafted to emphasize reflection, analysis, and critical thinking, scaffolded units include reading enrichments, documentary-quality videos, interactive map games, and cutting-edge 3D simulations. Empower your students to become active participants in their learning! Includes instant reporting for Social Studies, WIDA, and Literacy Standards

31. ACT 48 Workshop: Misinformation Awareness: Imparting Next-Level Critical Thinking Skills

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Social Studies Teachers, ELA Teachers

Dates: 10/13/2025

Wait List

Are your students aware of disinformation campaigns being waged against them? Can they spot when they are being emotionally manipulated by conspiracy theories and health pseudoscience? Join the Pittsburgh-based Mental Immunity Project to gain tools you can use in your classroom to build your students' skills in misinformation awareness, critical thinking, and media literacy. Attendees will be empowered to embed next-level critical thinking skills within their instruction and will receive access to free resources to assist in this important work.

32. ACT 48 Workshop: Women & the American Story

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Social Studies Teachers, ELA Teachers

Dates: 10/13/2025

"Women & the American Story (WAMS) is the flagship education initiative of The New York Historical Center for Women's History, designed to connect educators with resources that illuminate women's contributions to the American past. At a time when only 13% of the historical figures in American history textbooks are women, the WAMS website is the first comprehensive, digital women's history resource for schools across the country. While primarily a US history curriculum, it includes highlights on women in the arts and in STEM, as well as arts-integration lessons, in each of the units. This workshop will introduce teachers to the rich resources of WAMS through hands-on, inquiry-based learning, and provide them with resources and pedagogy for their own classroom practice. Teachers will leave with a set of resources to diversify their curriculum and increase the representation of women in their lessons. The workshop will be delivered by a WAMS Ambassador, Amanda McAllen, a former museum educator and current U.S. History and AP African American Studies teacher at Environmental Charter High School."

33. ACT 48 Workshop: Functional Behavior Assessment to Positive Behavior Support Plans: Assessing Behavior & Designing Effective Interventions

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Special Education Teachers, School Counselors, School Psychologists, Building Principals, Other Building Level Admin, Special Education Liaisons, Interventionists & Coaches

Dates: 10/14/2025 to 11/17/2025

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. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

34. ACT 48 Workshop: Schema-based Instruction: Multiplicative (Multiplication and Division) Schemas

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Special Education Teacher, General Education Teacher, Interventionists & Coaches

Dates: 10/21/2025

Solving mathematical word problems is an ongoing problem for students with both reading and math learning disabilities, as well as students who do not have an identified learning disability. Schema-based instruction is a problem-solving strategy that emphasizes identifying the underlying structure or schema to create a visual representation of the important information in order to be able to solve the problem.

Multiplicative schemas are problem-solving structures that involve relationships between quantities using multiplication or division. These include Equal Groups, Comparison, and Proportional situations, where one quantity is a multiple or a fraction of another.

Participants are free to mix and match sessions to fit their availability, the fall session is repeated in the spring.

Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

35. ACT 48 Workshop - PD Series: Word Wizards 2025-26

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: ELA, Reading, and English Teachers in Grades 3-12

Dates: 10/21/2025 to 2/10/2026

Build your students into word wizards! This three-session professional development 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. Cost: $450 per participant. Districts will be invoiced after the first session. When registering, please select "Purchase Order” as your payment method if the district is to be invoiced for the cost of the workshop. By registering, you certify that you have obtained supervisor permission to participate in this workshop, and your supervisor is aware of the professional development fee.

36. Structured Literacy Training: PreK and Primary K-2 Teachers 2025-26

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: PreK and Primary (grades K-2) teachers

Dates: 10/22/2025

Allegheny Intermediate Unit's Reading Achievement Center presents relevant professional development that meets Chapter 49 structured literacy requirements and is tailored to meet the literacy needs of different certificate holders' classrooms. This session is tailored to PreK and primary (grades K-2) teachers.

37. ACT 48 Workshop: MTSS Reading Tier 2-3 Intervention Systems

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: General Education Teachers , Special Education Teachers, Building Principals, Interventionists & Coaches , Curriculum Directors , Other Building Level Admin, Special Education Liaisons

Dates: 10/23/2025 to 3/26/2026

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. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

38. ACT 48 Reporting: Teaching with Documents? Yes, You Can!

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: K-12 Social Studies Teachers, Library Media Specialists

Dates: 10/24/2025

Always wanted to teach your Social Studies class using primary and secondary sources, but ran out of time and energy looking for them? Fear not! The DBQ Project has a wide repository of unit collections that take the stress out of finding and curating documents around themes by providing them in an easy to use format. Join Imali Kent, Regional Director of the DBQ Project, for a look at the successful methods for teaching with documents and take a look at the many discipline-specific collections available to you.

39. ACT 48 Workshop: Where They Are, We Begin: Instruction that Honors Every Elementary Learner (K-6)

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Special Education Teachers

Dates: 10/27/2025

This training series presented in a hybrid format (2.5-hour virtual synchronous session and a full day in person session) is designed for elementary teachers in autistic and life skills support classrooms that serve students with higher support needs. Participants will analyze everyday routines and tasks such as play activities, navigating a hallway, participating in a small group lesson, completing independent work in order to develop and teach meaningful component skills that build towards more complex skills across domains. Participants will learn to assess what matters, leverage student strengths and apply evidence-based practices such as task analysis, chaining, modeling, explicit instruction, visual supports, independent systems, and project-based learning. Whether you're working with a non-speaking student new to using AAC, a learner who needs support to participate in group work, or a student whose behaviors are a form of communication, this training empowers you to move past "I don't know how” to "I know where to begin.” Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

40. ACT 48 Workshop - PD Series: Adolescent Literacy Institute 2025-26

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: ELA Teachers in Middle and High School

Dates: 10/29/2025 to 2/26/2026

The Adolescent Literacy Institute is a series of workshops for middle and high school teachers focused on research-based literacy practices that support students as they become college and career ready. Specifically aligned with brain research on how adolescents learn, this workshop series engages participants in the research behind and modeling of effective reading and writing instruction for the secondary grades. Cost: $600 per participant. Districts will be invoiced after the first session. When registering, please select "Purchase Order” as your payment method if the district is to be invoiced for the cost of the workshop. By registering, you certify that you have obtained supervisor permission to participate in this workshop, and your supervisor is aware of the professional development fee.

41. ONLINE Act 48 PD Series: Word Wizards 2025-26

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: ELA teachers in grades 3-12

Dates: 11/1/2025 to 1/2/2026

Build your students into word wizards! This three-module online professional development 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. Cost: $450 per participant. Districts will be invoiced after the first module opens. When registering, please select "Purchase Order” as your payment method if the district is to be invoiced for the cost of the workshop. By registering, you certify that you have obtained supervisor permission to participate in this workshop, and your supervisor is aware of the professional development fee.

42. ESL 4 Course: Observing, Planning, Implementing, and Managing Instruction

Program: ESL Courses

Audience: Certified K-12 teachers seeking ESL specialist certification; ESL teachers

Dates: 11/3/2025 to 1/26/2026

Meeting Times: Live Zoom classes: Monday, November 3, 2025; 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm and Saturdays: 11/8, 11/15, 11/22, 2025; 8:00 am to 11:30 am, and Monday, 1/26/2026; 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Online coursework due: January 19, 2026 at 11:59 pm. Attendance is mandatory.

Registration for this course closes on 10/29/2025

Required Text: participants must obtain the following text in order to successfully complete this course. This text can be ordered online in new or used condition; it may also be available for download to Kindle or other mobile text readers.

Classroom Instruction That Works with English Learners (2nd ed). Authors: Hill & Miller. ISBN: 978-14166-1630-6

Teachers will examine the theories, principles, and practices that assist English language learners in achieving academic proficiency in the content areas. Planning standards-based instruction and adapting instruction in the content areas is emphasized. To promote the academic success of English language learners, teachers will involve the family and community, and analyze the learner to establish learning goals and assessment measures that are appropriate for the individual student. ESL teachers will be able to demonstrate knowledge of their ELLs and the role of individual characteristics in the process and outcome of language learning. Drawing upon this knowledge, they will demonstrate an ability to observe and plan standards-based ESL and content instruction for students from K-12. They will use the PA Academic Content Standards, as well as, the PA English Language Proficiency Standards when planning lessons. They will use performance-based measures to assess ELLs discrete and integrated ability to use grammar, vocabulary, listening, speaking, reading, and writing to communicate.

43. ACT 48 Workshop: Ready, Set, Regulate!

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Special Education Teachers

Dates: 11/5/2025 to 2/19/2026

Many students, especially those with neurodevelopmental disabilities (such as autism, ADHD, or sensory processing disorder), experience challenges with regulation that impact behavior, learning, and social participation. Teachers will learn how to identify sensory and emotional regulation needs, understand the impact of dysregulation on student functioning, and implement classroom strategies that promote regulation, engagement, and positive behavior. Participants should only register for the Fall or Spring training, as this is a repeated training. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

44. ACT 48 Workshop: CMCI Educational Benefit Review PD & Workshop

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: General Education Teachers , Special Education Teachers, Occupational & Physical Therapists , Speech Language Pathologists , School Counselors , School Psychologists , Transition Coordinators , Building Principals, Special Education Liaisons

Dates: 11/6/2025

The CMCI Educational Benefit Review (EBR) training is provided to teams who are to ensure that students with IEPs are receiving educational benefit. Teams will be provided with the legal background on EBR and participate in a four-step process to analyze and compare three years of IEPs to determine if a student has received educational benefit. While working alongside their EBR Facilitator, EBR teams will compare 2-3 years of a student's IEP to determine educational benefit, identify/target specific areas related to their school-age grade bands, and assist to identify technical support or professional development needs to support their knowledge and expertise of educationally beneficial IEP composition. The intention of this training will not only to fulfill requirements for cyclical monitoring, but for districts to consider integrating EBR as a best practice when composing IEPs annually. For this training, the EBR Facilitator (Special Education Administrator, Principal, LEA representative, or designee) will be asked to attend with their team. It is highly recommended that schools attend as a team. EBR Teams must be comprised of at least 1 Special Educator, at least 1 general educator, and at least 1 Related Service Provider, and the EBR Facilitator. Importantly, the AIU offers districts the opportunity to work at a quiet location off site to focus on the requirements of CMCI EBR. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

45. ACT 48 Workshop: Structured Literacy for Special Educators K-12

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Special Education Teachers, Special Education Liaisons

Dates: 11/6/2025 to 3/5/2026

This comprehensive professional development series is designed specifically for special education teachers to deepen their knowledge and instructional practices in literacy. Participants will explore the Science of Reading and Structured Literacy frameworks, equipping them with the tools and strategies necessary to support students with dyslexia and other reading disabilities. Content will include: Foundations of the Science of Reading -Understand the interdisciplinary research behind how the brain learns to read and the implications for classroom instruction. Principles of Structured Literacy -Learn the essential components of explicit, systematic, and cumulative instruction, including phonology, sound-symbol association, syllable instruction, morphology, syntax, and semantics. Understanding Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities- Identify characteristics of dyslexia and other reading difficulties, debunk common myths, and explore the neurobiological basis of these disabilities. Assessment and Data-Driven Instruction - Gain hands-on experience with screening tools, diagnostic assessments, and progress monitoring measures to inform instruction and intervention planning. Intervention Design and Implementation - Apply knowledge of reading science to deliver effective, individualized interventions and accommodations tailored to diverse learners. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

46. ACT 48 Workshop: Small Group, Big Impact

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: General education teachers, special education teachers, interventionists, coaches, transition coordinators, principals, special education liaisons, other administrators, school counselors, school psychologists, social workers

Dates: 11/7/2025

Ready to strengthen your Tier 2 small group instruction? This session will guide participants in building effective, systematized small groups within a PBIS framework by focusing on the key features that lead to strong outcomes, including the use of data, systems, and instructional practices. Attendees will explore how to identify students for targeted support, select relevant group topics, structure engaging instruction, and use data to monitor and evaluate effectiveness. The session will also include guidance on selecting and implementing evidence-based SEL programs appropriate for Tier 2 support. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

47. ACT 48 Workshops: Using the Dymanic Learning Maps: Enchancing Instruction for students with Cognitive Disabilities

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Special Education Teachers, Building Principals, Special Education Liaisons

Dates: 11/10/2025

This training is for special education liaisons and special educators who administer the PASA-DLM alternate assessment. This is different from the annual Test Administrator training requirement. This is not about the PASA DLM assessment or administration of the assessment. The focus is on improving outcomes for students with significant cognitive disabilities through standards alignment, DLM Essential Elements, and instructional practices. Participants will explore multiple resources, strategies, and professional development opportunities on the DLM website to enhance instruction, goals development, and align to grade level PA Core Standards. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

48. ACT 48 Workshops: ELA Symposium: Tips for Shifting to online PSSA (Grades 3-5)

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: ELA Teachers in Grades 3-5, Administrators

Dates: 11/10/2025

The ELA Symposium is the Reading Achievement Center's annual workshop addressing a critical need for strengthening teacher practice that improves student achievement. This session, for ELA teachers in grades 3-5, will focus on tips for shifting to the online PSSA.

49. ACT 48 Workshop: Supporting Student Attendance: A Multi-Tiered Approach

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: General Education Teachers, School Counselors, Special Education Teachers, Social Workers, Building Principals

Dates: 11/18/2025

Reducing chronic absenteeism is a growing challenge for schools. This session will provide an overview of the root causes of absenteeism and how to address those chause through a multi-tiered approach. Participants will learn methods for analyzing attendance data, identifying barriers to regular attendance, and intervening using evidence-based strategies and interventions. Participants will also walk away with strategies for how to implement attendance policies and practices schoolwide, with small groups, and with individual students.

50. ACT 48 Workshop: Transition Council of Allegheny County (TCCAC) Meeting Series 2025-26

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Special Education Teachers, School Counselors, School Psychologists, Social Workers, Transition Coordinators, Other Building Level Admin, Special Education Liaisons, Building Principals, Parents & Families

Dates: 11/19/2025

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. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

51. ACT 48 Workshop: Congressional Medal of Honor Character Program

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Social Studies Teachers, ELA Teachers, ROTC Instructors, PBIS Leaders

Dates: 11/21/2025

This full-day training will provide you with all the tools you need to bring the Medal of Honor Character Development Program into your classroom. The flexible, cross-curricular resource, which uses the oral histories of Medal of Honor Recipients and citizen heroes, focuses on how students can use these examples of courage, commitment, sacrifice, integrity, citizenship and patriotism to influence change in their own communities. Middle and high school teachers from all subject areas along with counselors, coaches, and administrators are invited to attend this free training. Substitute reimbursement is available.

52. ACT 48 Workshop: Building Bridges: Collaborative and Proactive Solutions to Student Behavior

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: General Education Teachers , Special Education Teachers, Paraeducators , Interventionists & Coaches , School Counselors , School Psychologists , Social Workers , Building Principals, Other Building Level Admin, Special Education Liaisons , Other District Level Admin

Dates: 12/2/2025

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT (IN 100 WORDS OR LESS): Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) is an evidence-based model of psychosocial treatment originated and developed by Dr. Ross Greene, and described in his books The Explosive Child, Lost at School, Raising Human Beings, and Lost & Found. This session will discuss application of his model across all three tiers of a PBIS framework. Resources and tools to implement the model will be shared in the session. Rather than focusing on kids' concerning behaviors (and modifying them), CPS helps kids and caregivers solve the problems that are causing those behaviors. The problem solving is collaborative (not unilateral) and proactive (not reactive). Research has shown that the model is effective not only at solving problems and improving behavior but also at enhancing skills. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

53. ACT 48 Workshop: Moving Beyond Indicator 13: Advancing Student Centered Transition

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: General Education Teachers, Special Education Teachers, Transition Coordinators, School Counselors, School Psychologists, Building Principals, Agency Personnel, Special Education Liaisons

Dates: 12/2/2025 to 1/22/2026

This two-part series guides school district teams in developing a comprehensive, research-based transition system that strengthens programming, services, and compliance. Attendees will explore sustainable frameworks, leverage transition data for informed planning, and engage in district-centered action steps. Emphasis will be placed on building collaborative partnerships with community stakeholders and applying best practices to enhance and sustain high-quality transition outcomes.This series is ideal for school district teams involved in secondary transition planning, programming, and services. Teams should include a combination of special education administrators, transition coordinators, secondary educators, school counselors, vocational rehabilitation counselors, related service providers, and work-based learning coordinators. Participation by individuals who oversee compliance and data analysis, as well as those who foster community partnerships, will ensure a well-rounded and effective transition system development. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

54. ACT 48 Workshop: Writing Across the Tiers: How to Provide Whole Class, Small Group, and Individual Supports

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: General education teachers, special education teachers, interventionists, coaches, reading specialists, principals

Dates: 12/16/2025

Writing is one of the most complex topics we teach in school. It requires students to combine their reading comprehension skills with their executive functioning and self-regluation skills. This session will provide participants with an overview of the science of writing along with evidence-based strategies that can be used at the tier 1 level. Participants will also learn about effective ways to assess students' writing and support students who struggle with writing beyond tier 1 instruction.

55. ACT 48 Reporting: K-12 Educational Benefit Review Simulation

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: General Education Teachers , Speech Language Pathologists , Occupational & Physical Therapists , Interventionists & Coaches , School Counselors , School Psychologists , Transition Coordinators , Other Building Level Admin

Dates: 12/18/2025

Educational benefit refers to the positive outcomes gained from educational activities, including enhanced knowledge, skills, and personal development. In special education, it specifically relates to a student's progress toward Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals and access to the general education curriculum, as defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The Educational Benefit Review (EBR) evaluates whether a student's current IEP is reasonably designed to provide educational benefit. Conducted alongside BSE Cyclical Monitoring, the EBR process compares the current IEP with the previous two, guiding school teams in assessing key components. The K-12 EBR Simulation offers both new and experienced educators a hands-on opportunity to understand the EBR process and explore how to apply the concept of educational benefit in daily practice. The simulation affords educational professionals the opportunity to enhance their professional craft, gain and understanding of the EBR process as a part of CMCI, while participating in a facilitated review of a student case. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

56. ACT 48 Reporting: Utilizing Trauma Responsive Practices in the Classroom Setting

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: General Education Teachers, Special Education Teachers, Paraeducators, Interventionists & Coaches, Reading Specialists, School Counselors, School Psychologists, Social Workers, Building Principals, Other Building Level Admin, Special Education Liaisons, Other District Level Admin

Dates: 12/18/2025

This training series is designed for classroom practitioners to gain a deeper understanding on the prevalence and impact of trauma in the classroom as well as the greater school community. The session will focus on specific trauma responsive classroom practices that can be embedded within daily classroom routines. This training is part of a hybrid series. Part 2 is in person, register below via Frontline. Participants must also attend Part 1, the virtual session on 12/2/2025. Register for Part 1 via workshop flyer link. Workshop Flier

57. ESL 6 Course: English Language Learners, Families, Community and Professionalism

Program: ESL Courses

Audience: Certified K-12 educators seeking ESL specialist certification; ESL teachers

Dates: 1/5/2026 to 3/16/2026

Meeting Times: Live Zoom classes: Monday, Jan 5, 2025 from 5:00pm - 8:30pm; Saturdays: 1/10, 1/17, and 1/24, 2026 from 8:00am - 11:30am; and Monday March 16, 2026 from 5:00pm - 8:30pm. Online coursework is due: March 9, 2025 at 11:59pm. Attendance is mandatory.

Registration for this course closes on 12/29/2025

Required Text: participants must obtain the following text in order to successfully complete this course. This text can be ordered online in new or used condition; it may also be available for download to Kindle or other mobile text readers.

Title: Powerful Practices for Supporting English Learners: Elevating Diverse Assets and Identities First Edition, Westernoff, F., Jones-Vo, S., & Markus, P. (2021) Corwin Press ISBN: 9781544380094

Most English language learners are from another country. They come in with anxieties and go through phases of cultural adjustments. Without the necessary support, it might be hard for them to transition smoothly and thus be able to learn English well and fast.

This course is geared toward equipping ESL teachers with the necessary tools to give ESL students the support they need while they undergo the challenges of transition. Issues that may arise concerning the support of students in the classroom, school and the community will be addressed.

58. ACT 48 Workshops: EBP's in Mathematics (FALL or SPRING)

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Special Education Teachers, General Education Teacher, Interventionists & Coaches

Dates: 1/7/2026

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. Participants should only register for the Fall or Spring training, as this is a repeated training. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

59. ACT 48 Workshop: Laying the Foundation K-2: Comprehension, Close Reading, & Complex Text 2025-26

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Primary Teachers of Reading (Grades K-2)

Dates: 1/8/2026 to 4/15/2026

Transitioning students to the demands of the PA Core Standards is not a job just for teachers in the tested grades! This four-session series will support teachers in the primary grades in aligning their instructional practices to the PA Core. Participants will engage with teaching informational text, text dependent questions, close reading, scaffolding instruction using complex text, annotating text, designing rigorous tasks, and incorporating academic vocabulary into students' vocabularies, specifically focusing on how to implement these concepts into everyday practice. Cost: $600 per participant. Districts will be invoiced after the first session. When registering, please select "Purchase Order” as your payment method if the district is to be invoiced for the cost of the workshop. By registering, you certify that you have obtained supervisor permission to participate in this workshop, and your supervisor is aware of the professional development fee.

60. ACT 48 Workshop: Inclusive PBIS: Including Students with Significant Disabilities in Tier 1

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Interventionists & Coaches, Special Education Teachers, General Education Teachers, Other District Level Admin

Dates: 1/12/2026

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is grounded in a strong body of research demonstrating its effectiveness in promoting positive engagement for all students. Additionally, growing evidence supports the benefits of school-wide PBIS for students with significant cognitive disabilities. So how can schools ensure that students with significant cognitive disabilities are meaningfully included in their PBIS framework? This session explores the core elements of school-wide PBIS and offers practical strategies for making each component accessible and inclusive for all learners.

61. ACT 48 Workshop: Where They Are, We Begin: Instruction that Honors Every Secondary Learner (7-12)

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Special Education Teachers

Dates: 1/12/2026

This training series presented in a hybrid format (2.5-hour virtual synchronous session and a full day in person session) is designed for secondary teachers in autistic and life skills support classrooms that serve students with higher support needs. Participants will analyze everyday routines and tasks such as engaging in academic and group learning, navigating the community, and completing activities of daily living in order to develop and teach meaningful component skills that build towards more complex skills across domains. Participants will learn to assess what matters, leverage student strengths and apply evidence-based practices such as task analysis, chaining, modeling, explicit instruction, visual supports, independent systems, and project-based learning. Whether working with a non-speaking student new to using AAC, a learner who needs support to participate in group work, or a student whose behaviors are a form of communication, this training empowers participants to move past "I don't know how” to "I know where to begin.” Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

62. ACT 48 Workshop: Supporting Secondary Readers: Strategies for Teaching Reading at the Secondary Level

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: General Education Teachers, Special Education Teachers, Building Principals, Interventionists & Coaches

Dates: 1/13/2026

Achievement assessments continue to show that students struggle to read and comprehend texts proficiently at the secondary level. In this session, participants will learn about the science behind secondary literacy development and how to translate the evidence base into their classrooms. Participants will also learn about intervention structures and supports that can benefit struggling secondary readers.

63. ACT 48 Workshop: ELA Symposium: Tips for Shifting to Online PSSA (Grades 6-8)

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: ELA Teachers in Grades 6-8, Administrators

Dates: 1/13/2026

The ELA Symposium is the Reading Achievement Center's annual workshop addressing a critical need for strengthening teacher practice that improves student achievement. This session, for ELA teachers in grades 6-8, will focus on tips for shifting to the online PSSA.

64. ACT 48 Workshop: Transition Council of Allegheny County (TCCAC) Meeting Series 2025-26

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Special Education Teachers, School Counselors, School Psychologists, Social Workers, Transition Coordinators, Other Building Level Admin, Special Education Liaisons, Building Principals, Parents & Families

Dates: 1/21/2026

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. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

65. ACT 48 Workshop: Check-In /Check-Out: Daily Support for Positive Change

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: General Education Teachers, Special Education Teachers, Interventionists & Coaches, School Counselors, Building Principals

Dates: 1/22/2026

Check-In/Check-Out (CICO) is a Tier II, evidence-based, behavioral intervention designed to support students by providing more frequent instruction regarding expected behavior, increasing structured contact between students and adults in school, providing a formal mechanism for students to receive feedback on their behavior and increasing opportunities for reinforcement contingent on expected behavior. This session will provide SWPBIS teams the necessary knowledge and skills to implement multiple variations of CICO within their buildings.

66. ACT 48 Workshop: Historical Thinking in the Middle Grades

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Grades 5-8 Social Studies Teachers, Curriculum Leaders

Dates: 1/27/2026 to 3/24/2026

Geared toward teachers of history in the middle grades (5-8). This 3-session professional development workshop series provides participants with an in-depth experience in utilizing inquiry-based lessons. Through the incorporation of primary sources, the use of evidence, and other historical thinking concepts, this sequence of workshops guides teachers toward a more student and concept-centered pedagogy. *Tuesday, April 21, 2025 (make up day if needed) Cost: $300

67. ACT 48 Workshops: Let's Play: Strategies for Child Centered Learning

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Special Education Teachers, Speech Language Pathologists, Special Education Liaisons, Interventionists and Coaches

Dates: 1/29/2026

Play is self-chosen and self-directed; intrinsically motivated; guided by mental rules; imaginative; and conducted in an active, alert, but relatively non-stressed frame of mind. How neurodivergent students play may be different from their neurotuypical peers, but it's not wrong and does not need to be fixed. This session will focus on how to find and nurture the strengths and interests of neurodivergent early learners, accept their play as valid by joining in, and use strategies such as modeling and social play chains to promote authentic connections and growth. We will explore Parten's 6 stages of play and learn new ways to promote interaction and language across each stage. Participants will gain a better understanding of what it means to "follow the child's lead" to ensure more positive and meaningful interactions. This training is specifically for teachers working with early learners with higher support needs in the areas of communication, play, and social reciprocity. This training might benefit you if you have learners that: are non-speakers with emerging language or early communicators working to develop functional language, non-traditional, repetitive or stereotypical play, and/or do not respond or initiate social bids for attention. This training would not be beneficial for teachers that support learners that are in late stages of play including those working on game play, navigating social interactions with peers, and/or more complex use of materials for leisure activities. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

68. ONLINE Act 48 PD Series: Laying the Foundation K-2: Comprehension, Close Reading, and Complex Text 2025-26

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Reading and ELA teachers in grades K-2

Dates: 2/1/2026 to 5/1/2026

Transitioning students to the demands of the PA Core Standards is not a job just for teachers in the tested grades! This four-module series will support teachers in the primary grades in aligning their instructional practices to the PA Core. Participants will engage with teaching informational text, text dependent questions, close reading, scaffolding instruction using complex text, annotating text, designing rigorous tasks, and incorporating academic vocabulary into students' vocabularies, specifically focusing on how to implement these concepts into everyday practice. Cost: $450 per participant. Districts will be invoiced after the first module opens. When registering, please select "Purchase Order” as your payment method if the district is to be invoiced for the cost of the workshop. By registering, you certify that you have obtained supervisor permission to participate in this workshop, and your supervisor is aware of the professional development fee.

69. ACT 48 Workshop: Cultivating Community: Fostering Agency, Belonging, and Connection

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: General Education Teachers , Special Education Teachers, Paraeducators , School Counselors , School Psychologists , Social Workers , Building Principals, Other Building Level Admin, Other District Level Admin

Dates: 2/2/2026

In this training session, participants will learn how to cultivate a supportive learning environment through Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Participants will explore strategies to empower students with the tools they need to develop agency, foster a sense of belonging, forge meaningful connections, and promote equity within educational settings. Participants will gain practical insights and resources to effectively integrate SEL practices into daily classroom routines, enhancing both academic achievement and overall well-being. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

70. ACT 48 Workshop: Navigating 504s: Comprehensive Guidance for School Teams

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Special Education Liaisons , School Counselors , School Psychologists , Social Workers , Building Principals, Other Building Level Admin

Dates: 2/3/2026

Please join the Allegheny Intermediate Unit's Training & Consultation Team for this In Person Training. This Chapter 504 Process professional development has been streamlined and tailored for school district teams, including 504 administrators, coordinators, and other vested partners. 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 504 plans Intended Audience: Principals, special education liaisons, school counselors, school psychologists, social workers, other building and district level administrators Participant Information: This training will be offered twice. Please register for only one session. 5 (five) Act 48 hours will be awarded after the training. There is no cost to attend this training. Educators who work for LEAs in the AIU3 region will have priority registration. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

71. ACT 48 Workshop: CMCI Educational Benefit Review PD & Workshop

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: General Education Teachers , Special Education Teachers, Occupational & Physical Therapists , Speech Language Pathologists , School Counselors , School Psychologists , Transition Coordinators , Building Principals, Special Education Liaisons

Dates: 2/4/2026

The CMCI Educational Benefit Review (EBR) training is provided to teams who are to ensure that students with IEPs are receiving educational benefit. Teams will be provided with the legal background on EBR and participate in a four-step process to analyze and compare three years of IEPs to determine if a student has received educational benefit. While working alongside their EBR Facilitator, EBR teams will compare 2-3 years of a student's IEP to determine educational benefit, identify/target specific areas related to their school-age grade bands, and assist to identify technical support or professional development needs to support their knowledge and expertise of educationally beneficial IEP composition. The intention of this training will not only to fulfill requirements for cyclical monitoring, but for districts to consider integrating EBR as a best practice when composing IEPs annually. For this training, the EBR Facilitator (Special Education Administrator, Principal, LEA representative, or designee) will be asked to attend with their team. It is highly recommended that schools attend as a team. EBR Teams must be comprised of at least 1 Special Educator, at least 1 general educator, and at least 1 Related Service Provider, and the EBR Facilitator. Importantly, the AIU offers districts the opportunity to work at a quiet location off site to focus on the requirements of CMCI EBR. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

72. ACT 48 Workshop: It was Colonel Mustard with the UDL Toolbox in the History Room: Secrets Revealed

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: K-12 Social Studies Teachers, Inclusion SP.ED Teachers

Dates: 2/5/2026

With a wink to a classic whodunit, this training will reveal the secrets to unlocking student success through the power of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Using your UDL toolbox, we'll investigate how to design lessons that embrace learner variability, reduce instructional barriers, and increase accessibility and engagement for all students. You are encouraged to register with your special education teacher-sleuth. Whether you're new to UDL or ready to refine your approach, you'll leave with practical tools-and maybe even solve the mystery of how to reach every learner.

73. ACT 48 Workshop: Strong Structure, Strong Engagment: Enhance your Learning Environment through Classroom Management

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: General Education, Special Education Teacher, Reading Specialists, Building Principals, Interventionists & Coaches

Dates: 2/5/2026 to 3/2/2026

This professional development series provides in-depth training on effective classroom management, grounded in evidence-based practices that help reduce challenges and promote positive student behavior. Participants will explore the six key evidence-based practices of classroom management and gain practical strategies, tools, and procedures to design and implement a classroom management plan that supports a structured, engaging, and well-managed learning environment. Workshop Flier DAY 1 This session will cover the following topics: Foundations of Effective Classroom Management - Behavior Basics, Building Effective Relationships, Designing the Physical Environment, Teaching with a Strong Voice, & Establishing your Classroom Expectations, Rules & Routines DAY 2 Proactive Strategies: Active Supervision, Teaching Expectations, and Reinforcing Positive Behavior DAY 3 Responsive Teaching: Engagement, Participation, and Planning for Unexpected Behaviors

74. ACT 48 Workshop: Discipline with Dignity: Creating a Proactive and Restorative Discipline Process

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: General Education Teachers , Special Education Teachers, Paraeducators , Interventionists & Coaches , School Counselors , School Psychologists , Social Workers , Building Principals, Other Building Level Admin, Other District Level Admin , Special Education Liaisons

Dates: 2/10/2026

This series will support teachers and administrators in developing a classroom and office continuum of responses for their context. The sessions will focus on treating all students with dignity, building relationships, responsibility, and problem solving skills.

75. ACT 48 Workshop: From Case Study to Classroom: Strategies to Support Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Special Education Teachers

Dates: 2/11/2026

In this implementation lab, participants will engage in a hands-on, station-based experience focused on evidence-based strategies that support conceptual understanding, skill development, and student engagement in literacy, communication, mathematics, and foundational learning skills for emergent learners across all grades. Using a case study approach, participants will have the opportunity to customize learning for their selected student(s) in order to monitor success and then scale up across the classroom. We will culminate our day of learning with a discussion of how the PA Core Standards and the Dynamic Learning Maps Essential Elements and Linkage Levels can be aligned with daily instruction and student IEP goals. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

76. ACT 48 Workshop: Schema-based Instruction: Additive (Addition and Subtraction) Schemas

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Special Education Teacher, General Education Teacher, Interventionists & Coaches

Dates: 2/12/2026

Solving mathematical word problems is an ongoing problem for students with both reading and math learning disabilities, as well as students who do not have an identified learning disability. Schema-based instruction is a problem-solving strategy that emphasizes identifying the underlying structure or schema to create a visual representation of the important information in order to be able to solve the problem. Through these sessions, participants will learn each of the underlying structures in additive schemas (addition and subtraction) and multiplicative schemas (multiplication and division) to solve single-step and multi-step word problems.

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.

The spring session provides a repeat of the training offered in the fall; participants are free to mix and match sessions to fit your availability.

Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

77. ACT 48 Workshop: Discipline with Dignity: Creating a Proactive and Restorative Discipline Process

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: General Education Teachers , Special Education Teachers, Paraeducators , Interventionists & Coaches , School Counselors , School Psychologists , Social Workers , Building Principals, Other Building Level Admin, Other District Level Admin , Special Education Liaisons

Dates: 2/18/2026

This series will support teachers and administrators in developing a classroom and office continuum of responses for their context. The sessions will focus on treating all students with dignity, building relationships, responsibility, and problem solving skills.

78. Structured Literacy Training: Upper Elementary & Middle School ELA Teachers 2025-26

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Upper elementary and middle school ELA teachers

Dates: 2/19/2026

Allegheny Intermediate Unit's Reading Achievement Center presents relevant professional development that meets Chapter 49 structured literacy requirements and is tailored to meet the literacy needs of different certificate holders' classrooms. This session is tailored to upper elementary and middle school ELA teachers.

79. ESL 5 Course: Assessment and Support for English Language Learners

Program: ESL Courses

Audience: Current ESL educators or educators who are seeking ESL specialist certification.

Dates: 2/23/2026 to 4/20/2026

Meeting Times: Live Zoom classes: Monday, Feb 23, 2026 from 5:00pm - 8:30pm; Saturdays: 2/28, 3/7, 3/14, 2026 from 8:00am - 11:30am; and Monday, 4/20/2026 from 5:00pm - 8:30pm. Online coursework is due: April 13, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Attendance is mandatory.

Registration for this course closes on 2/18/2026

Required Text: participants must obtain the following text in order to successfully complete this course. This text can be ordered online in new or used condition; it may also be available for download to Kindle or other mobile text readers.

Title: Assessing Multilingual Learners: Bridges to Empowerment, (3rd Edition). Author: Gottlieb, Margo. Corwin Press, ISBN: 978-10-71897270

Assessing and supporting English Language Learners can be challenging for teachers and students. As English language learners in grades K-12 acquire English, there needs to be appropriate and valid measures in place when assessing their progress. Assessment tools need to be based upon individual proficiency levels of students. In this course, student teachers will gain exposure to the tools necessary to assess English Language Learners. The course will offer knowledge on benchmarks for each English proficiency level.

ESL teachers demonstrate and share knowledge and techniques of appropriate assessments with a range of stakeholders. This includes the ability to administer required testing as well as to make accommodations to such testing when appropriate; the expertise to help colleagues and families understand how assessment can be designed and interpreted to best demonstrate what ELLs know and are able to do; the use of data generated by multiple measures to ensure that ELLs have access to a quality language instructional program; Revised 12/18/2017 and to make progress toward benchmarks and display academic growth while receiving services within an ESL program.

80. ACT 48 Workshop: Support Students with Dyslexia: Interventions & Accommodations

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: General Education Teachers, Special Education Teachers, Interventionists & Coaches, Paraeducators, Speech Language Pathologists

Dates: 2/23/2026

Participants will examine the characteristics of dyslexia and instructional practices to support learners including a multisensory, structured literacy approach. Time will be devoted to exploring accommodations that provide access to grade-level content for reading and writing. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

81. ACT 48 Workshop: Cultivating Community: Fostering Agency, Belonging, and Connection

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: General Education Teachers , Special Education Teachers, Paraeducators , School Counselors , School Psychologists , Social Workers , Building Principals, Other Building Level Admin, Other District Level Admin

Dates: 3/2/2026

In this training session, participants will learn how to cultivate a supportive learning environment through Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Participants will explore strategies to empower students with the tools they need to develop agency, foster a sense of belonging, forge meaningful connections, and promote equity within educational settings. Participants will gain practical insights and resources to effectively integrate SEL practices into daily classroom routines, enhancing both academic achievement and overall well-being. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

82. ACT 48 Workshop: Teach It Like You Mean It: Mastering the Art of Classroom Routines

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: General Education Teachers, Special Education Teachers, Paraeducators

Dates: 3/4/2026

Struggling with classroom management often starts with unclear or inconsistent routines. This interactive professional development session is designed for educators who are ready to reset, refine, or reinforce the foundational structures that keep a classroom running smoothly. In this half-day workshop, we will break down the key components of effective classroom routines and procedures-from entry to exit, transitions, materials management, and more. Participants will learn how to intentionally model, practice, and reinforce expectations with clarity and consistency. We'll explore practical strategies, observe real-life examples, and collaborate on scripting and rehearsing routines that suit your unique teaching context. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

83. ACT 48 Workshop: Feedback That Moves Students: More Than a Grade: Giving Feedback to Moves Students Forward

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: General Education Teachers , Special Education Teachers, English Language Teachers, Reading Specialists , Paraeducators , School Counselors , Building Principals

Dates: 3/4/2026

Clear, compassionate feedback can shift a classroom-from compliance to curiosity, from confusion to clarity. In this half-day, cross-curricular session, K-12 educators will explore how to give kind, useful, and helpful feedback that motivates students and supports learning behaviors. Through hands-on practice and a real-world simulation, participants will analyze student work, practice giving face-to-face and written feedback, and learn how to tailor responses to meet the needs of diverse learners. Whether you're new to the classroom or a seasoned educator, you'll leave with practical strategies to make your feedback more consistent, meaningful, and empowering-without adding to your workload. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

84. Structured Literacy Training: Special Educators and Reading Specialists 2025-26

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Special educators and reading specialists

Dates: 3/10/2026 to 3/11/2026

Allegheny Intermediate Unit's Reading Achievement Center presents relevant professional development that meets Chapter 49 structured literacy requirements and is tailored to meet the literacy needs of different certificate holders' classrooms. This two-day session is tailored to special educators and reading specialists.

85. ACT 48 Workshop: Schema-based Instruction: Multiplicative (Multiplication and Division) Schemas

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Special Education Teacher, General Education Teacher, Interventionists & Coaches

Dates: 3/12/2026

Solving mathematical word problems is an ongoing problem for students with both reading and math learning disabilities, as well as students who do not have an identified learning disability. Schema-based instruction is a problem-solving strategy that emphasizes identifying the underlying structure or schema to create a visual representation of the important information in order to be able to solve the problem.

Multiplicative schemas are problem-solving structures that involve relationships between quantities using multiplication or division. These include Equal Groups, Comparison, and Proportional situations, where one quantity is a multiple or a fraction of another.

The spring session provides a repeat of the training offered in the fall; participants are free to mix and match sessions to fit your availability.

Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

86. ACT 48 Workshop: Global Education for Future Readiness: Immersion Learning for Skill Development

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: K-12 Social Studies Teachers, World Language Teachers, Library Media Specialists

Dates: 3/23/2026

In an increasingly interconnected world, preparing students to solve problems on a global scale is paramount. Join Allegheny IU, as we delve into the importance of immersion learning in bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world careers, unlocking student potential and equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in a global society. Acquire strategies to implement in your classrooms to cultivate essential future ready skills, including cultural awareness, growth mindset, communication, agency, critical thinking, and social-emotional intelligence in students, preparing them for global success. You'll leave with resources, lesson ideas and plans for implementing programming into your classrooms, schools, districts and beyond.

87. ACT 48 Workshop: Supporting Struggling Students: Classroom Behavioral Interventions

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: General Education Teachers, Special Education Teachers

Dates: 3/23/2026

Join us for a comprehensive professional development series designed to equip school personnel with effective strategies to support students who struggle in the classroom environment. This series, "Building a Better Classroom: Interventions to Support Struggling Students," offers a blend of asynchronous and in-person learning to provide you with a thorough understanding of behavioral interventions. Prerequisite: To maximize the benefits of this training, it is recommended that participants attend a classroom management session prior to this series. A solid foundation in classroom management will enable you to effectively implement the advanced strategies discussed in this session. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

88. ACT 48 Workshop: Transition Council of Allegheny County (TCCAC) Meeting Series 2025-26

Program: ACT 48 Workshops

Audience: Special Education Teachers, School Counselors, School Psychologists, Social Workers, Transition Coordinators, Other Building Level Admin, Special Education Liaisons, Building Principals, Parents & Families

Dates: 3/24/2026

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. Flyer Link: Workshop Flier

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Catalog: Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3 (Web Registration)

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