April 2, 2025 OCDEL to Release Updated Edition of PA Learning Standards for Early Childhood The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) will release an updated version of the Pennsylvania Learning Standards for Early Childhood. Learn More The soon-to-be-released update includes changes to Science Standards to ensure alignment with newly adopted Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability (STEELS) Standards. The STEELS Standards were adopted by the state’s Board of Education in January 2022. Implementation of the standards in all Pennsylvania schools begins in the 2025-26 school year. Revisions include updates to the state’s Early Childhood Learning Standards for: Infant/toddler Prekindergarten Kindergarten Grades 1 and 2 Early Learning Standards Continuum “Approaches to Learning Through Play” and “Social/Emotional Development” domains are listed first in the standards, as these skills help children to develop competencies that are essential for success in school, life, and careers. The 2024 Learning Standards for Early Childhood no longer include the “Partnerships for Learning” section. Starting in September, providers will be required to adopt The Pennsylvania Family Engagement Birth through College, Career, Community Ready Framework. All licensed child care facilities – including PA Pre-K Counts, HSSAP, and Migrant Education programs – will receive one complimentary copy of the following: 2024 Infant, Toddler Learning Standards for Early Childhood 2024 Pre-Kindergarten Learning Standards for Early Childhood 2024 Early Learning Standards Continuum Eligible providers are expected to receive their complimentary copies delivered between April and May. Early intervention agencies and state PQAS instructors and organizations will receive an email with the opportunity to request a complimentary set of the standards. Responses will be due by May 31. Pennsylvania Learning Standards for Early Childhood will be available for viewing, download, and printing on The Pennsylvania Key website. Physical copies will also be available for purchase. In late April, an asynchronous training titled “2024 Pennsylvania Learning Standards for Early Childhood Revisions Overview” on the transition to the new standards will be accessible on the PD Registry. Any questions about the new standards should be emailed to ra-pwpaels@pa.gov.
October 28, 2024 OCDEL Offers Scholarship Through Pitt’s Infant Mental Health Certificate Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is offering a scholarship for professionals serving children and families in prenatal, infant, toddler, and preschool programs. Learn More The scholarship enables participants to take part at no cost in a pilot program through the University of Pittsburgh’s Infant Mental Health Professional Development certificate. It is aimed at the state’s licensed child care providers, Head Start/Early Head Start and PA Pre-K Counts programs. Traditionally, the course has been provided to Infant/Toddler Early Intervention, OCDEL-funded home visitors, Infant Early Childhood Mental Health, and Rapid Response team members. The course is being extended to providers as a result of ongoing discussions and evaluation of requests for professional development from the field. Its extension is due to the challenges faced by providers across the state who support the mental health and well-being of young children and families. The scholarship seeks to enable early learning professionals to partner with others and better support families in Pennsylvania. Those interested can apply through The Pennsylvania Key on behalf of OCDEL’s Bureau of Early Learning Policy and Professional Development. The application for the 2025 Infant Mental Health (IMH) Certificate & Learning Circle – Scholarship closes on Nov. 15. Information on applicant criteria, the approval and evaluation process for candidates, course consideration, registration information, the course structure, and FAQs can be found on The Pennsylvania Key’s website.
August 29, 2024 Training: Evaluation of Educator Effectiveness PA Pre-K Counts lead teachers, administrators, and evaluators are encouraged to register to attend a free online training on the revised Act 82 Educator Effectiveness (EE) process. Learn More The Pennsylvania Key will present Application of Act 13 of 2020: Evaluation of Educator Effectiveness in Pre-Kindergarten Classrooms in support of the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL). The revised Act 82 Educator Effectiveness process is used to evaluate professional and temporary professional employees in PK-12 education across the state. The goal of EE models is to reform the way school professionals are evaluated as well as the critical components of training and professional growth. PQAS and Act 48 credits are available for those completing the course, which is being offered on the following dates: Oct. 14, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Event ID: 371083 Dec. 5, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Event ID: 371088 A Zoom link for accessing the online training will be provided with registration confirmation. Registration is now open.
Training: Evaluation of Educator Effectiveness PA Pre-K Counts lead teachers, administrators, and evaluators are encouraged to register to attend a free online training on the revised Act 82 Educator Effectiveness (EE) process. Learn More The Pennsylvania Key will present Application of Act 13 of 2020: Evaluation of Educator Effectiveness in Pre-Kindergarten Classrooms in support of the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL). The revised Act 82 Educator Effectiveness process is used to evaluate professional and temporary professional employees in PK-12 education across the state. The goal of EE models is to reform the way school professionals are evaluated as well as the critical components of training and professional growth. PQAS and Act 48 credits are available for those completing the course, which is being offered on the following dates: Oct. 14, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Event ID: 371083 Dec. 5, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Event ID: 371088 A Zoom link for accessing the online training will be provided with registration confirmation. Registration is now open.
