CUSTOMIZED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

School Districts in need of specialized programs for staff development activities can utilize this service. Clarion University has some of the finest education professionals in the state with strong expertise in teacher education. These professionals can provide direct assistance in the development of instructional strategies that will focus on deficiencies identified by PSSA and other assessments. University personnel will work directly with teachers, administrators and community members to help develop solutions that will ensure the mandatory academic progress required by state and federal policy. Examples of such support that the Center has been involved in the past with local districts include; technology training for staff, special education bridge certification workshops, strategies for early childhood education, alignment of instruction with standards, differentiated instruction and leadership skill development to name just a few. These activities can be designed as either credit or non-credit.

PARAPROFESSIONAL WORKSHOPS

This service is designed to help school-based aides improve their skills and expand their knowledge concerning the various assignments they may be given as part of their job requirements. This program is also approved to qualify participants for “highly qualified” status as required by No Child Left Behind legislation. The workshops are a series of four, full day activities that culminates with an assessment on the fifth and final day.  There are eight topics that are presented; Roles and Responsibilities, Mathematics, Child Development, Writing Skills, Special Education, Reading Skills, Behavior Management and Technology. There are eight instructors that specialize in one of the workshop topics. The Center will conduct the series locally for any district, group of districts or intermediate unit that may wish to sponsor this initiative.