The Pennsylvania Standards Aligned System (SAS) is a collaborative product of research and good practice that identifies six distinct elements which when utilized together, provide schools and districts a common framework for continuous school and district enhancement and improvement. Much research has been conducted as to what makes a great school. There are many intangible components; however, research supports the notion that great schools and school systems tend to have six common elements that ensure Student Achievement: Clear Standards, Fair Assessments, Curriculum Framework, Instruction, Materials & Resources, and Interventions.
Early Childhood professionals in all settings can utilize the Standards and Aligned System to enhance their teaching practice for young children. Experienced teachers will be able to identify their current instructional strategies that incorporate SAS elements and gain greater understanding of how the system offers stronger alignment to the content that children learn as the progress through elementary and secondary school.
During 2009, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning created a companion site to the Dept. of Ed Standards Aligned System which offers resources under each SAS element specific to early childhood.
www.pdesas.org/OCDEL
Early Childhood and the Standards Aligned System- Frequently Asked Questions (pdf)
Early Learning Professional Community
The Office of Child Development and Early Learning has created profession learning community within the PDE SAS portal. This online community provides the opportunity for early childhood practitioners, teachers, and administrators to network and discuss issues related to early childhood education. Anyone who is registered on the PDESAS portal can join the Early Learning PLC through the use of “Teacher Tools.”
