In late December, Apple released an update to their iPad technology which may impact online testing. In order to resolve any possible issues from the Apple update, yesterday evening, DRC released an updated version of the online testing secure application for iPads. DRC sent the attached communication to all district assessment and technology coordinators.

If you have any questions about the iPad update, please contact PA Customer Service at DRC by phone 800-451-7849 or email pacustomerservice@datarecognitioncorp.com.

PDE is offering Online Tools Training sessions for mathematics educators. These sessions are designed for classroom teachers, instructional coaches and curriculum specialists who will prepare students for PSSA and Keystone Exam online testing. Please use the link or QR Code below to register for grade level specific review of the online tools.

Each grade level will review the questions from the Online Tools Training. Registration for each session will close 24 hours prior to the session, and an email with the link to the Microsoft Teams meeting will be sent to those who register at that point. Each course/grade level will have two sessions offered - the same material will be covered in both sessions, so educators can select the day/time most convenient. Educators can attend more than one session. The sessions will not be recorded.

Register by completing the link below:

https://forms.office.com/g/6CtYCMQsgj

Webinar - Success Stories: AP Excellence in Rural and Small Schools in Pennsylvania (sponsored by PARSS)

Join us for an inspiring webinar featuring the remarkable achievements of rural and small schools in Pennsylvania that have successfully grown their AP programs and earned the prestigious AP School Honor Roll award.

Panelists from these award-winning schools will share their journeys, strategies, and best practices for overcoming challenges and fostering academic excellence. Attendees will gain valuable insights into:

• Innovative Approaches: Learn how these schools have implemented creative solutions to expand their AP offerings.
• Teacher and Student Support: Discover effective methods for training teachers and supporting students in AP courses.
• Community Engagement: Understand the role of community and parental involvement in building successful AP programs.
• Sustainable Growth: Explore strategies for maintaining and growing AP programs in rural and small school settings.

Whether you are an educator, administrator, or community member, this webinar will provide you with practical tools and inspiration to enhance AP opportunities in your own school.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from the best and take your AP program to new heights!

This event will take place on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, and will be held virtually. Register at https://eventreg.collegeboard.org/N01vqy by 2/2/2025.

Webinar: Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Career Readiness through AP Courses (sponsored by PASCD)

In today's rapidly evolving job market, it's crucial for high schools to equip students with the skills and knowledge that align with their future career paths. Join us for an insightful webinar designed specifically for curriculum directors and supervisors, where we will explore the integration of Advanced Placement (AP) courses to create a more relevant and career-focused high school experience.

During this session, you will learn:

• How to select AP courses that align with key career skills and industry demands.
• Strategies for implementing these courses to maximize student engagement and success.
• How to leverage SAT Suite data to identify students who would benefit most from these AP courses.
• Best practices for recruiting new groups of students into these courses.

Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your school's curriculum and better prepare your students for their future careers.

This event will take place on Monday, January 27, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 10:00AM, and will be held virtually. Register at https://eventreg.collegeboard.org/zbx5x7 by 1/25/2025.

On-Demand Webinar Now Available: Enhance College Success and Provide Credit Opportunity with AP® Precalculus

Discover how the new AP® Precalculus course can prepare students for college math and expand AP opportunities. Featuring panel discussion with teachers and administrators from New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Recording available at https://collegeboard.zoom.us/rec/share/40aqqiLoKOtPMCGdn8yXhbUYSvXDpWFVbs0hdOHkWToF81nPSBy8cCUNzDMJq5Xk.pDiJFgDELHljDO6o?pwd=sg0NLh16cZWfsUS4UO2v_KqlEr8q8GHr

Advanced Placement Professional Development Incentive – Extended!

I’m excited to share that the Pennsylvania Department of Education and College Board are partnering to expand access to Advanced Placement courses throughout the Commonwealth in the 2025-26 school year. Our shared goal is to increase the number of students who can take at least one AP class before graduating high school.

As part of this initiative, we are offering free professional development in summer 2025 for AP Precalculus, AP Computer Science Principles, AP African American Studies, and AP Seminar.Interest forms for our collaboration with PDE, PATTAN, and PAIU are now available.

For AP Computer Science Principles, please fill out this form by the end of January: https://secure.smore.com/n/g3n28. If you have questions, please reach out to Bryan Hower at bhower@pattan.net.

For AP Precalculus, AP African American Studies, and AP Seminar, please fill out this form by the end of January: https://forms.office.com/r/CcFxC6PTkA. If you have questions, please reach out to Mike Webb at mwebb@mciu.org or Eliza Vagni at evagni@iu19.org.

The next PASCL Network Meeting of 2024-25 will be held on Tuesday, January 21st from 1:00-2:30 pm EST. With over 200 school administrators and educational nonprofit leaders registered from across the Commonwealth, we look forward to continuing the conversations and discussions from our first two PASCL Network Meetings. We recognize that the end of the school day can be a busy time for many of you, so we will conclude the meeting a bit earlier than we’ve done previously.

Network Meeting Details:

• Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2025
• Time: 1:00 - 2:30 pm
• Zoom Meeting Information:
• As a PASCL Network Member, you’ll receive a separate Zoom meeting confirmation email with a link to add the event to your calendar, the Meeting ID (982 0709 5089) and the Join Meeting link - (https://iu13.zoom.us/s/98207095089).

January Meeting Agenda Overview:

• Receive an introduction to the Student-Centered Learning Blueprint for Pennsylvania
• Hear from school districts as they share their SCL success stories.
• Join breakout sessions to ask questions and explore how districts implement student-centered learning.
• Learn about opportunities to attend PASCL Showcase district/site visits.

Invite Others:

• Please invite your colleagues to join our Network. Share the attached flyer and this PASCL Network registration link: https://tinyurl.com/PASCL-Reg.
• Network registrants will be automatically registered for the January Network Meeting and be included in all future communications about PASCL events and resources.

RESOURCES TO HONOR THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JIMMY CARTER

The PBS Learning Media team has curated the following resources to share with educators who would like to honor the life and legacy of former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on December 29, 2024 at the age of 100.

• · NEW: Remembering Former President Jimmy Carter (6-12)
• · Jimmy Carter - Campaigning on Honesty (9-12)
• · Jimmy Carter’s Boyhood Home (K-5)
• · Jimmy Carter | Virtual Field Trip (3-12)
• · Fun Facts About Jimmy Carter (3-12)
• · Jimmy Carter | 60-Second Presidents (3-12)
• · Jimmy Carter - “The Little Baby Snoogle-Fleejer” (3-5)

Questions or suggestions, please email LearningMediaMktg@pbs.org

Registrations are now open for the following Student Competitions:

• Reading Olympics Registration

• STEM K'nex Design Competition Registration

• PA Media & Design MS Registration

• PA Media & Design HS Registration