Each year, Shaler Area looks for ways to strengthen our curriculum and provide resources to address students’ academic needs. This continual reassessment has resulted in a number of curricular changes to be implemented at the start of the school year.
Portrait of a Graduate
The Portrait of a Graduate is the foundation for all curricular decisions as we provide students with experiences and opportunities that prepares them for life beyond Shaler Area. The district’s focus on effective instruction continues, and our staff is ready to engage all students in learning. Click here to view our portrait!
Kindergarten Entry Inventory
Beginning this year, the district will administer the PA Department of Education’s Kindergarten Entry Inventory (KEI) to all Kindergarten students during the first 45 days of school. The KEI is aligned to the PA Early Learning Standards. The KEI is not a high stakes test. Instead, it offers teachers an understanding of both the cognitive and non-cognitive skills of each kindergarten student in their class. With this information, teachers can deliver personalized learning to each student, ensuring the greatest opportunity for success. Additionally, the KEI fosters more engagement for families who will know their children’s skills early in the year and reinforce skill building at home.
Structured Literacy
In 2022, the PA Legislature adopted The Pa Structured Literacy Framework which amended the PA School Code. The legislation requires districts to provide professional development in structured literacy for professional employees who hold instructional certificates in early childhood education; elementary-middle level; PK–12 Special Education; English as a Second Language; and Reading Specialist. Last year, our district trained a cohort of K–3 educators in LETRS. LETRS is a research-based professional-development program that provides teachers and administrators with which literacy skills need to be taught, why, and how to structure instruction. This school year, another cohort of K–3 educators will begin their training. We are excited to report that by the end of the 23–24 school year 70% of all K–3 primary level teachers will have the training.
Additionally, educators at the 4–8 will begin Science of Reading training this year. This training will ensure all Shaler Area students are instructed by teachers who are current in reading instruction and can identify individual student needs.
Computer Science
Just as our world changes, the role of librarians has changed over the past decade. During the 22–23 school years, the district piloted computer science instruction at the K–3 level. Our librarians implemented a diverse program aligned to the PA Computer Science standards. The result of the pilot was a more immersive and cross-curricular library program for our youngest learners. The students merged the skills they acquired in STEM to new skills learned in computer science and infused those into English Language Arts, science, and music. Every student felt empowered as they demonstrated their learning to their teachers. This year we will expand the programming to all K–3 students and begin a similar program this year at the elementary building.
Learner-Centered Design
Last school year, the K–12 principals and teams of teachers from the elementary and middle school worked closely with Dr. Katie Martin and her team from the Learner Centered Collaborative to understand the importance of student-centered learning. The four principles of student-centered learning are voice, choice, competency-based progression, and continuous monitoring of student needs. The teams at Shaler Area Elementary and Shaler Area Middle School will continue this work during the 23–24 school year. This approach aligns to our Portrait of a Graduate work and fosters more student engagement. We look forward to their accomplishments this year in the schools.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
To prepare students for life beyond Shaler Area, we need to ensure both teachers and students understand the changes occurring in our world. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is talked about everywhere. AI is here and is not going away, so we need to embrace its use in schools. Our state is developing AI standards for students, and we wish to stay up-to-date with this quickly changing technology. We recognize students will use AI in their schoolwork, so our teachers need to understand how they can embrace AI and use it to their advantage in the classroom. This year we will have a group of teachers focus their professional development on the use of AI in the classroom. We look forward to their work.
College/Career Readiness
The high school continues to revise its programming to provide students with experiences aligned to career readiness. The high school will offer a course to prepare students for careers in the field of firefighting. Essentials in Firefighting is offered through the Allegheny County Fire Academy. Additionally, the BNY Mellon Early College in High School Program offers students an opportunity to learn about various opportunities in the banking field through a dual-enrollment course with CCAC.
Our district is ready for the return of students and we continually ignite passion so all students feel welcomed and appreciated for their uniqueness.