NEW for 2018-2019 Join the Special Educators’ Network for an opportunity to connect with other special education teacher leaders working to build capacity in the use of evidence-based practices at your school or district. This is a “hands-on” training, so bring your device of choice: PC, Mac, Chromebook, or tablet. The November 30, 2018 session will focus on multi-tiered interventions and tools that can be used to provide targeted support to struggling students within an MTSS framework. This training will focus on readily-available Tier 1 universal design for learning supports that can be used to access and engage with the curriculum.

NEW for 2018-2019 school year! Please join us for an opportunity to deepen your understanding of the literacy challenges experienced by students with dyslexia. This session, delivered by AIU and PaTTAN consultants, will include a modified dyslexia simulation, an exploration of the reading brain, and findings from neuroscience. Components of effective assessment, intervention, and assistive technology supports will be shared.

Registration for this course closes on 1/2/19

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 English Language Learners: Bridges from Language Proficiency to Academic Achievement, [2006] Corwin Press. Author: Gottlieb, M. ISBN-13: 978-0761988892


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.

This workshop adds a unique focus to the study and teaching of African American history by giving teachers the tools to incorporate local resources with their instruction on the topic. Through the use of primary sources from around the Pittsburgh region, participants will be able to more authentically incorporate African American history and culture into the curriculum.

Social problem solving is the ability to evaluate and apply specific social behaviors that are aligned with social success. It requires investigation, synthesis, decision making and action. Individuals who struggle to understand the social realm will find these skills very valuable. The approach is appropriate for students who have at least a basic foundation in conversational abilities.

Registration for this course closes on 2/20/19

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: Schoolwide Approaches to Educating ELLs: Creating Linguistically and Culturally Responsive K-12 Schools. [2011], Heinemann Publishing. Author: Soltero, S. ISBN-13: 978-0325029221


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.

Make history come alive and relevant through this workshop delving into primary sources from around the Pittsburgh area! Through guidance from the University of Pittsburgh’s librarians and archivists, teachers will become introduced to teaching and assessment methods that promote historical thinking on the local level. Participants will be availed to the manifold free resources available to them from the experts at the University of Pittsburgh.