Curriculum
The Instructional Support Services Department offers leadership, direction, and support to local districts in the development of effective programs and practices for the improvement of instruction. The curriculum staff provides a variety of advisory, consultation, professional development, liaison, and research oriented services to districts, groups within districts, and individual educators. The curriculum staff serves administrators, curriculum personnel, school board members, teachers, auxiliary staff, students, and Intermediate Unit 1 staff.
The curriculum services include:
- Curriculum development and revision
- Development of a curriculum cycle and process
- Staff development in curriculum design
- Analysis of existing curriculum to meet state requirements and reflect best practices
- Leadership and training in proven effective teaching methods
The Curriculum Coordinating Council (CCC) meets in September, November, December, January, March, April, and June each year. Dates and registration for the meetings is online at http://www.solutionwhere.com/iu1 under Intermediate Unit 1 Curriculum Coordinators Meetings. The primary purpose of these meetings is to provide information and training for district curriculum administrators on Pennsylvania Department of Education initiatives and significant educational programs.
Much research has been conducted as to what makes a great school. There are many intangible components. However, research supports the notion that great schools and school systems tend to have six common elements: clear standards, fair assessments, curriculum framework, instruction, materials and resources, and interventions. A Standards Aligned System is made up of these six elements. For more information, visit the PDE Standards Aligned System website.
Curriculum, special education supervisors, and training and consultation (TaC) staff provide support for schools in School Improvement. Training sessions are held in August, September, and October. School Improvement Plans must be reviewed by Intermediate Unit 1 staff and approved by the school board of the school district. An assurance page signed by the executive director of the Intermediate Unit, the superintendent of the school district, and the board president of the school district must be submitted to PDE with copies of the School Improvement Plan by mid-November.
Starting in 2008, a formal year 2 revision of the School Improvement Plan must be completed and submitted to PDE. A training session in regard to Year 2 plans will be held at Intermediate Unit 1 in August of each year.
Resources/Downloads
- Request for Services Form
- Alternative School Curriculum Template: .pdf / .doc
