SFSD Implementing the STEELS Standards

Instructor(s): Peney E. Wright, Eric Yoder 
Description of Activity: Tier #1 Session Full implementation of PA’s Integrated STEELS Academic Standards and revised PSSA Science Testing format will begin school year 2025-2026. In preparation for this 3-year roll out, we are offering a series of two workshop sessions. In session #1, participants will have an immersive experience for the look and feel of the shift in science pedagogy. Session #2 supports educators unpacking the new standards’ characteristics and format, focusing on student performance expectations, taking a deep dive into grade level and grade band STEELS 3-dimensional standards, reviewing productive student discourse in classrooms and discussing project-based learning pedagogy to meet student performance expectations; followed by district wide time for creating a plan of action for the district and curriculum mapping. 

Teams will set goals and plan regularly scheduled meetings and IU check-ins. 

 Minimum of seven per team. 

 Act 48 credit will be awarded. 

Strongly Recommended: Assemble a team of at least one district-level administrator, curriculum and instruction director, special education director, one building administrator, one K-2 teacher, one 3-5 teacher, one middle school teacher, one high school teacher, a STEM teacher, one or more special education teachers, one or more ELL teachers, an instructional coach, and/or guidance counselors. 
 

Recommended Prerequisite: read the National Research Council: A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts and Core Ideas (2012), free download