Category: News

PDE to Host “Better Together: PDE’s Suite of K-12 Data Tools” Webinar (September 13, 2026)

Discover the power of connection across Pennsylvania’s K–12 data tools. Join the engaging webinar “Better Together: PDE’s Suite of K-12 Tools” to explore how seven no-cost PDE resources work together to support continuous improvement and student success. Learn how tools such as the PA Future Ready Index, PVAAS, Data Interaction (eMetric), the Evidence Resource Center, SAS Portal, CDT, and PA Firefly can provide a more complete picture of teaching and learning. Participants will gain practical insights into the purpose and value of each tool, along with ideas for leveraging these resources to support planning and continuous improvement efforts in their LEA or school.

Act 45 (5 hours) and Act 48 credits will be offered for those joining the session live on one of the two webinar dates. For those seeking the 5 hours of Act 45 credit, you will need to complete and submit the culminating activity after your participation in the session on October 19, 2026 from 9:00 – 11:00 AM.

To register, please visit Better Together: PDE’s Suite of K-12 Tools to Support Continuous Improvement.

PaTTAN to Host Cultivating Connection & Prevention Event (September 13, 2026)

Looking to increase belonging & connectedness for your students as you begin the new school year?
Join the Office of School Climate and Well-Being for an opportunity to learn more about the ways they can support you. This opportunity will feature our partnership with Sandy Hook Promise’s Start with Hello & SAVE Promise Clubs.  This one-day event will take place at PaTTAN Central from 10am – 2pm on September 29, 2026.

To learn more, please view the Cultivating Connection & Prevention flyer. To sign up for this event, please visit the Cultivating Connection & Prevention Microsoft form.

PDE Spotlights the Importance of Structured Literacy Universal Screeners (September 13, 2026)

Universal screeners play a vital role in structured literacy implementation, serving as an early and reliable indicator of students’ reading health across grade levels. Universal screeners provide the timely, objective data needed to ensure instructional alignment and early intervention. By administering screeners multiple times per year, administrators gain a clear picture of which students are meeting foundational benchmarks and which require targeted, evidence‑based support. These data allow leadership teams to allocate resources strategically, evaluate the effectiveness of Tier 1 instruction, and ensure MTSS structures operate proactively rather than reactively. When used consistently and interpreted effectively, universal screeners enable structured literacy practices to remain responsive, equitable, and tightly connected to student needs.

A universal screening assessment should demonstrate several essential qualities. It must be brief, allowing efficient administration across all students. Predictive, providing accurate early identification of students at risk for reading difficulties. Reliable and valid, grounded in strong technical adequacy. Instructionally relevant, offering data that directly informs instructional decision‑making and universally administered to all students at standardized intervals to ensure equity. Effective use of a universal screener ensures foundational components of a coherent, high‑quality structured literacy system.

To learn more about using and setting up a universal screener, visit https://www.readingrockets.org/topics/rti-and-mtss/articles/best-practice-rti-universal-screening.

CEP Report: No Positive Outcomes from Harsh Preschool Discipline

According to a new report from the Children’s Equity Project (CEP) at Arizona State University, harsh punishment and exclusionary discipline of young children has “zero positive outcomes” and can contribute to negative, long-term impacts like lower academic achievement and reduced likelihood of graduating from high school. The report also said that having an emotionally and psychologically supportive pre-K setting is critical to a young child’s development, but most early care and education settings lack guidance in these areas.

For more details from K-12 Dive, click here.

Shrinking USDE Offers State Decision-making Playbook (September 12, 2026)

On September 8, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) announced a new resource to help states build capacity for problem-solving and program improvements. The resource encourages states to take greater ownership of problem-solving and finding effective solutions to challenges as the USDE shrinks in both size and scope. It also purports to help states build capacity for problem-solving and program improvements and will allow states “to ask and answer their own questions of issues and goals and matters that are most important to those states and local communities.”

The Learning Agenda Playbook will include case studies, templates, guidance and other resources to help state education agencies (SEAs) set goals, measure progress and make financial investments in their initiatives cover such priorities as literacy, teacher recruitment and retention, and agency alignment. and can be adapted to each state’s needs and context.

The playbook was developed with the help of eight states (Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin) that piloted the resources over the past year.

For more from K-12 Dive, click here.