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Pennsylvania has 501 public school districts that serve 1,821,146 students. The mission of the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is to serve the educational community by providing tools that enable students to grow into lifelong learners. The Pennsylvania State Board of Education is comprised of 22 members. This group is the principal administrative regulatory body for elementary/secondary and higher education in the state.
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Current Events
The Pennsylvania Department of Education maintains a site of news and events related to education.
Content Standards
The Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening Standards describe what students should know and be able to do with the English language at four grade levels (third, fifth, eighth, and eleventh). The standards provide the targets for instruction and student learning essential for success in all academic areas. Although the standards are not a curriculum or a prescribed series of activities, school entities should use them to develop a local school curriculum that will meet local students' needs.
The Assessment Anchors focusing on specific standards are one of the many tools PDE has developed to better align curriculum, instruction and assessment practices throughout the state. PDE first released the Assessment Anchors for Reading in the spring of 2004. The Assessment Anchors, like the Standards, are dynamic documents and will be updated periodically.
The Mathematics Standards describe what students should know and be able to do at four grade levels (third, fifth, eighth, and eleventh). They reflect the increasing complexity and sophistication that students are expected to achieve as they progress through school. This document avoids the repetition of learned skills, making an obvious progression across grade levels less explicit. A glossary is included to assist in understanding terminology contained in the standards.
The Assessment Anchors focusing on specific standards are one of the many tools PDE has developed to better align curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices throughout the state. PDE first released the Assessment Anchors for Mathematics and Reading in the spring of 2004. The Assessment Anchors, like the Standards, are dynamic documents and will be adjusted periodically.
The Academic Standards for Science and Technology describe what students should know and be able to do in the following eight areas:
- Unifying Themes of Science
- Inquiry and Design
- Biological Sciences
- Physical Science, Chemistry, and Physics
- Earth Sciences
- Technology Education
- Technology Devices
- Science, Technology, and Human Endeavors
These standards describe what students should know and be able to do by the end of fourth, tenth, and twelfth grades. In addition, these standards reflect the increasing complexity and sophistication that students are expected to achieve as they progress through school. Curriculum, instruction, and assessment designed at the local level should focus on meeting the standard statements.
Assessment
In Pennsylvania, the state assessments for reading and mathematics are built around specific anchor standards that are subgroups of the content standards. The Assessment Anchors are one of the tools the Pennsylvania Department of Education has developed to better align curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices throughout the state.
PSSA is a standards-based criterion-referenced assessment used to measure a student's attainment of the academic standards while also determining the degree to which school programs enable students to attain proficiency of the standards. Every Pennsylvania student in 5th, 8 th , and 11th grade is assessed in reading, math and writing.
Curriculum and Instruction
The Curriculum Coordinators from Pennsylvania's 29 Intermediate Units are a primary resource that assists schools in providing the best possible education for all students.
Services provided by the intermediate unit curriculum coordinators include strategic planning, school improvement planning, assessment support, program evaluation, facilitation, curriculum design, and professional development on a vast array of topics. The coordinators play an important role in advising and assisting in the design and implementation of curriculum-related initiatives of the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Professional Organizations
Pennsylvania has many professional organizations. Some of these organizations are state-level organizations and some are local professional organizations.
State Professional Organizations
KSRA strives to to promote literacy, provide instructional leadership, support professional development, and advocate literacy issues. KSRA believes in the importance of collaborating with other organizations in achieving its purposes and goals; they are an affiliate of the International Reading Association (IRA).
PAECT is a professional organization offering leadership and networking opportunities to professionals throughout the Commonwealth by nurturing the exchange of ideas, information, resources, and emerging developments in current technology issues.
PASCD is the catalyst for educational renewal where learning is the continuous reconstructing and reorganizing of knowledge through diverse experiences. PASCD is an affiliate of the national Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).
PAEP is a non-political interdisciplinary organization of individuals working in environmental management, planning, impact assessment, environmental protection, compliance, research, engineering, design, and education.
PAPSS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering the profession of soil classification, mapping, interpretations, and increasing the dissemination of information concerning soil science as it contributes to the protection of the environment and general human welfare.
PCSM focuses on leadership in mathematics education and issues. PCSM is an affiliate of both the NCTM and PCTM.
PCTM is a professional organization dedicated to providing the best mathematics education possible at all levels in the Keystone State. PCTM is involved in promoting mathematics education in a variety of arenas, from the very classrooms where students learn to the rooms and chambers where decisions are made affecting how they are taught. PCTM is an affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).
PSTA works towards the advancement, improvement, and coordination of science education in all areas of science at all educational levels. PSTA is an affiliate of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).
PSMATYC strives to maintain a rapport among Pennsylvania's two-year colleges, to continually improve the teaching of mathematics, and to promote and enhance the professional welfare of their members. PSMATYC is an affiliate of both NCTM and PCTM.
SSHEMA is an organization for collaboration in mathematics among the state system of higher education. It has an Executive Board comprised of mathematics faculty members also representing each of the 14 universities in the State System of Higher Education and addresses current topics of interest to the members of the organization. SSHEMA is an affiliate of both NCTM and PCTM.
Local Professional Organizations
AMTONP is a local mathematics organization operating in the northwest portion of Pennsylvania. Its purpose is to promote collegiality and to share ideas among its members. AMTONP is an affiliate of both NCTM and PCTM.
ATMOPAV is a local professional organization of mathematics educators in the Philadelphia area who are dedicated to the improvement of mathematics education at every level, from kindergarten to college. ATMOPAV has 1,100 active members and is an affiliate of both NCTM and PCTM.
CPMA is a local mathematics organization in Pennsylvania. Its purpose is to promote collegiality and to share ideas among its members. CPMA is an affiliate of both NCTM and PCTM.
CCRA encourages the study of literacy development at all levels of education throughout Chester County. The organization uses structured programs, newsletters, and its Web site to disseminate information about literacy development to the Chester County community.
EPCTM is a mathematics organization that strives to create and maintain an active interest in mathematics, encourage effective mathematics teaching at various levels of instruction in the schools, provide a medium for exchange of views pertaining to mathematics and to the teaching of mathematics, promote research in the field of mathematics and the teaching of mathematics, and promote among all teachers a genuine concern for the complete development of each student. EPCTM is an affiliate of both NCTM and PCTM.
LHMA is a local professional mathematics organization where members have a forum for sharing mathematics and teaching ideas with others and to develop friendships with colleagues at other schools. LHMA is an affiliate of both NCTM and PCTM.
MCWP is a local professional organization of mathematics educators who are dedicated to the improvement of mathematics education at every level, from kindergarten to college. MCWP is an affiliate of both NCTM and PCTM.
NCPCTM is a local mathematics organization that promotes collegiality among teachers and opportunities for teachers to come together and share ideas. NCPCTM is an affiliate of both NCTM and PCTM.
NPCTM is a local professional organization that provides teachers in the northeast section of the state with the opportunity to share mathematics and teaching ideas and to develop friendships with colleagues at other schools.
Informal Education
Informal education institutions, such as museums, nature centers, zoos and aquariums, and planetariums, combine classroom learning with hands-on educational experiences. The links below provide access to the many different informal education centers throughout Pennsylvania.
Museums and Science Centers
The Academy of Natural Sciences explores the secrets of life through scientific research and expansive scientific collections.
The Carnegie Science Center's Education Experience Team supports teachers by providing experiences that are entertaining, interactive, first-hand, accessible, relevant, and understandable. The "Educator Page" of this Web site offers a variety of science resources for teachers.
CDW is a museum committed to providing an environment that encourages interactive, educational experiences for children and families.
This museum focuses on the study and diffusion of general scientific knowledge. A monthly lecture program related to science, technology, or nature is prepared for each winter season, October through May.
The Da Vinci Discovery Center promotes hands-on, inquiry-based science learning in order to develop young people - who, like Leonardo Da Vinci, are insatiably curious and think creatively and independently. The Center's Grand Opening to the public is October 30, 2005.
The Earth and Mineral Sciences Museum and Art Gallery includes collections of rocks, minerals, and fossils totaling more than 22,000 specimens.
The Franklin Institute embraces the spirit of inquiry and discovery embodied by Benjamin Franklin in order to inspire an understanding of, and passion for, science and technology learning.
An independent, nonprofit organization established solely as a memorial to George Westinghouse, his achievements, and contributions to society.
The Hands-On House Children's Museum is dedicated to helping kids learn in a fun, interactive environment. The museum is designed for children ages 2-10 years, and adults and children play and learn together.
The North Museum of Natural History and Science strives to generate excitement, curiosity, and life-long learning in the natural and physical sciences and technology by offering excellent programs, experiences, exhibits and a regional archive of well-preserved and curated collections to interest both children and adults.
Pittsburgh Voyager operates a river learning center for students, teachers, and the community of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
The Please Touch Museum offers many innovative programs that put children and educators in touch with a variety of valuable learning resources.
In Reading Public Museum's "Learning Zone," teachers and families can discover the many educational activities, discovery lectures, and bus trips that are happening at the Museum.
Educational programs at the State Museum are designed to encourage visitors to explore, discover, and experience the stories of Pennsylvania's rich and exciting past.
The mission of Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts is to serve as the center for scientific, artistic, cultural and educational activities to enhance the region's quality of life and economic vitality.
Nature Centers, Parks, and Gardens
The mission of Asbury Woods is to "provide all members of the community with opportunities to experience, study, and enjoy nature." Asbury Woods offers a variety of educational programs tailored for pre-school through 8 th grade.
The Society's "Outdoor Discovery" programs offer a unique hands-on approach to student learning. In addition to the resources on their Web site, the society also publishes its educational offerings in a free education guide.
Awbury offers a variety of field trips and educational programs for children in grades K-8.
Bartram's Garden offers a series of historic and horticultural lectures and workshops and houses a wealth of Bartram-related books, documents, photographs, and other archival information in the John Bowman Bartram Special Collections Library.
The Briar Bush Nature Center provides environmental education to individuals and groups of all ages through on-site and outreach experiences.
The Society offers educational lessons that are customized for an individual lesson or an entire unit.
Chanticleer Garden hosts a variety of year round programs and educational events.
Erie National Wildlife Refuge seeks to provide habitat to support a diversity of wildlife species and to enhance opportunities for wildlife-oriented public recreation and environmental education.
The Morris Arboretum promotes the understanding of the relationship between plants and people through programs that integrate science, art, and the humanities. Offers customized tours and educational workshops.
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary offers visitors a year-round educational experience. Professional development workshops are available for teachers and natural resource professionals.
Laurel Caverns Geological Park offers staff directed tours, covering nearly two miles of caves.
Longwood Gardens offers a variety of opportunities for horticultural study. Six programs serve individuals of varied interests and backgrounds.
LEEP offers learning programs for all ages. Programs are based on experiential learning techniques and involve exploring the vast resources available at Lutherlyn.
The Mill Grove Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary serves as a living memorial to the achievements of John James Audubon. Guided tours of the numerous hiking grounds throughout the sanctuary are available.
Penn's Cave offers opportunities for students to learn about geology, biology, and geography.
PCEE provides increased public and private access to quality environmental education through service, education, and research.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education has granted Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens approved provider status for Act 48 Continuing Professional Education for school teachers. School teachers can take classes to increase their knowledge of environmental and gardening topics.
PEEC enhances environmental awareness, knowledge, and appreciation through hands-on experience in a natural outdoor classroom.
Powdermill Nature Reserve offers week-long nature programs during the summer. Classroom and exhibit areas provide meeting space for school field trips and teacher workshops.
Saint Vincent College's Environmental Education Center seeks to provide quality and diverse environmental education programs and activities in a community outreach approach to Saint Vincent College, local school systems and the general public.
The Schuylkill Center's Environmental Education Center is a 500-acre nature preserve and educational institution that offers a variety of beautiful habitats that invite student exploration. All programs are themed to the new PA Environment and Ecology Standards.
Shaver's Creek Environmental Center offers a mix of educational and recreational opportunities.
Zoos, Aquariums, and Aviaries
The National Aviary offers age-appropriate classes that explore the world of birds and engages students in captivating lessons. The Aviary also offers in-house, outreach, distance learning, and scout programs.
The Philadelphia Zoo offers 40-50 minute educational lessons complete with live animals, bio-facts, and interactive experiences.
Zoo America's educational programs are designed to give participants new perspectives on the natural environment in ways that are both educational and fun.
Planetariums and Observatories
One of the major astronomical research centers in the world, the Allegheny Observatory offers guided tours as well as a monthly lecture series.
This observatory's Web site offers a variety astronomical resources. Guided tours of the Observatory are also available.
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