Skip to Main Content

Share Suggestion

Professional Learning

Home / Instruction / English Learner Portal / Professional Learning

Professional Learning

Office Hours and training activities are designed for Pennsylvania educators and students or faculty members in PA institutions of higher education. Participants must register with their respective education institution’s email address.  

  • PDE Office Hours

    Facilitator:
    Bob Measel, Title III Director and Bilingual Education Advisor, Pennsylvania Department of Education and Julia Puza, Bilingual Education Advisor, Pennsylvania Department of Education, Andrea G. Kolb, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Education Officer, Pennon Education
    Description:
    Synchronous virtual sessions – not recorded. PDE's English Language Development Office Hours is an open forum for educators across the Commonwealth to engage in Q&A with PDE staff, content experts, and ELD colleagues across the state. All educators in PA LEAs are encouraged to attend, including ESL Specialists, PreK-12 content teachers, building and district level administrators, paraprofessionals, specialists, and Intermediate Unit personnel. Office Hours are not eligible for Act 48 continuing education credits.
    Act 48 Eligible:
    No
    Intended Audience:
    All PA Educators and Administrators
    Registration:

  • The Language Lens – An Educational Podcast

    Description:
    The Language Lens explores key issues, strategies, and stories shaping the education of English learners. Join expert guests and classroom voices for practical insights and fresh perspectives that help every multilingual learner thrive. Learn more and listen to new episodes on The Language Lens.

  • EL Accountability and the Future Ready PA Index

    Description:

    This tutorial is meant to introduce you to the Future Ready PA Index (FRI) and how the EL Indicator in the FRI is calculated.

    Act 48 Eligible:
    2 hours
    Registration:

  • New EL Coordinator Training

    Description:

    This tutorial is meant to help you plan for meeting your responsibilities as an EL Coordinator and for implementation of your language instruction educational program (LIEP). When you complete this tutorial, you should have a collection of resources including the information that is covered along with your notes, a plan for addressing areas that need attention, and contacts for assistance if needed.

    Act 48 Eligible:
    2 hours
    Registration:

  • The EL Screening, Identification, and Placement Process

    Description:

    This tutorial will cover the EL screening, identification, and placement process.

    Act 48 Eligible:
    2 hours
    Registration:

  • LIEP Evaluation Tutorial

    Description:
    This tutorial covers the entire process of program evaluation and improvement planning. Specific topics include:
    • Understanding ACCESS data
    • Setting individual growth and attainment targets for ELs
    • Approaches to using data
      • Determining adequate ELP growth (using individual growth targets with percentile growth references)
      • ssessment types and uses
      • The use of formative information
      • Validity and reliability of assessments for ELs
    • The program evaluation process
    • Program improvement planning and implementation
    This tutorial also includes several tools that can be used in the process of program evaluation and improvement.
    Act 48 Eligible:
    2 hours
    Registration:

  • WIDA Professional Learning Self-Paced Courses

    Description:
    We are excited to once again be able to offer all PA educators access to WIDA’s full catalogue of online self-paced (asynchronous) courses! The following courses will be available beginning September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026. UPLOAD YOUR CERTIFICATE(S) OF COMPLETION *Please note that Act 48 credits will be processed monthly. All certificates must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on August 31, 2026.
    • Developing Language for Learning in Mathematics
    • Engaging Multilingual Learners in Science: Making Sense of Phenomena
    • Exploring the WIDA PreK-3 Essential Actions
    • Let's Play! Multilingual Children's Joyful Learning in PreK-3
    • Making Language Visible in the Classroom
    • Newcomers: Promoting Success Through Strengthening Practice
    • Reading Comprehension Across Content Areas with Multilingual Learners
    • Reframing Education for Long-Term English Learners
    • Teaching Multilingual Learners Social Studies Through Multiple Perspectives
    • The WIDA ELD Standards Framework: A Collaborative Approach
    • (WIDA Español) Desarrollando el español: Las expectativas del lenguaje
    • (WIDA Español) Evaluaciones del desarrollo del lenguaje a nivel de salón | Classroom Assessment for Language Development
    UPLOAD YOUR CERTIFICATE(S) OF COMPLETION  *Please note that Act 48 credits will be processed monthly. All certificates must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on August 31, 2026.
    Act 48 Eligible:
    Yes, various
    Registration:

  • WIDA Professional Learning Self-Paced Courses

    Description:
    We are excited to once again be able to offer all PA educators access to WIDA’s full catalogue of online self-paced (asynchronous) courses! The following courses will be available beginning September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027. 
    UPLOAD YOUR CERTIFICATE(S) OF COMPLETION *Please note that Act 48 credits will be processed monthly. All certificates must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on August 31, 2027. This year’s collection of Core Online Courses includes the following:

    1.    Desarrollando el español: Las expectativas del lenguaje
    2.    Developing Language for Learning in Mathematics
    3.    Engaging Multilingual Learners in Science: Making Sense of Phenomena
    4.    Evaluaciones del desarrollo del lenguaje a nivel de salón: Classroom Assessment for Language Development
    5.    Exploring the WIDA PreK-3 Essential Actions
    6.    Let’s Play! Multilingual Children’s Joyful Learning in PreK-3
    7.    Making Language Visible in the Classroom
    8.    Newcomers Promoting Success Through Strengthening Practice
    9.    Reading Comprehension Across Content Areas with Multilingual Learners
    10.    Reframing Education for Long-term English Learners
    11.    Supporting Multilingual Learners with Disabilities in Language and Communication
    12.    Teaching Multilingual Learners Social Studies Through Multiple Perspectives
    13.    WIDA ELD Standards Framework: A Collaborative Approach
    14.    Exploring WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten
    15.    Exploring WIDA ACCESS Online 1–12
    16.    Introduction to the Marco DALE
    17.    Introduction to the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework
    18.    Understanding WIDA Alternate ACCESS Score Reports 2026
    19.    Understanding WIDA Alternate ACCESS Score Reports 2027
    20.    WIDA ACCESS Score Reports for Instruction 2026
    21.    WIDA ACCESS Score Reports for Instruction 2027
    22.    WIDA Standards Frameworks for Bilingual Educators For detailed descriptions and number of instructional hours for each course, visit the Full Menu. Courses range from one to four hours, and all can be completed at your own pace. To earn PA Act 48 credits, you must:

    1.    complete all required components of the course
    2.    be awarded a certificate of completion by WIDA
    3.    submit your certificate to Pennsylvania by completing the Act 48 request form and attaching the appropriate corresponding certificate (PDF only).

  • Policies and Regulations Governing EL Education

    Facilitator:
    Bob Measel, Title III Director and Bilingual Education Advisor, Pennsylvania Department of Education
    Description:
    Synchronous virtual session – not recorded. This training is designed to provide an overview of policies and procedures for any educator responsible for decision-making that impacts EL education. Content for this webinar will include:
    • Overview of the state accountability system, approved by the USED under ESSA for Title I, which includes an indicator dedicated specifically to ELs’ progress toward and ultimate on-time attainment of English proficiency
    • Introduction to the PA Future Ready PA Index that provides an annual calculation of percent of ELs in each school who are achieving their individual targets for language growth and attainment
    • Overview of requirements of the Language Instruction Educational Program (LIEP) to ensure compliance with federal and state requirements for design and implementation as well as quality and success
    • Overview of other systems and procedures that administrators are required to know and manage
    Act 48 Eligible:
    3 hours
    Intended Audience:
    This workshop is designed for any educator who is responsible for decisions that may impact EL education, directly or indirectly. All administrators, including ELD coordinators, Directors of Curriculum & Instruction, Directors of Special Education, MTSS Coordinators, and building principals are strongly encouraged to attend.
    Registration:

  • LIEP Program Evaluation and Data Analysis Training

    Facilitator:
    Bob Measel, Title III Director and Bilingual Education Advisor, Pennsylvania Department of Education Andrea G. Kolb, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Education Officer, Pennon Education
    Description:
    Synchronous virtual session – not recorded. This training is designed to provide an overview of EL data and how to use PDE’s tools to utilize that data in conducting district’s annual LIEP program evaluations at both the school and district levels. This training covers the entire process of program evaluation and improvement planning. Specific topics include:
    • Understanding ACCESS data
    • Setting individual growth and attainment targets for ELs
    • Approaches to using data
    • Determining adequate ELP growth (using individual growth targets with percentile growth references)
    • Assessment types and uses
    • The use of formative information
    • Validity and reliability of assessments for ELs
    • The program evaluation process
    • Program improvement planning and implementation
    Act 48 Eligible:
    3 hours
    Intended Audience:
    This workshop is designed for any educators or support personnel who are responsible for conducting or assisting with annual program evaluations, including entering or analyzing data and/or using data to inform programmatic and/or instructional decisions.
    Registration:

  • WIDA: Expanding Reading Instruction with Multilingual Learners

    Facilitator:
    WIDA Facilitator
    Description:
    This two-part virtually facilitated workshop explores research-based approaches for making reading instruction more effective and inclusive for multilingual learners. Participants will examine key qualities of expansive reading instruction, learn how reading develops for multilingual learners, and explore practical strategies that integrate language development and literacy learning. Through examples and reflection, educators will identify instructional shifts that build on students’ linguistic strengths and create more engaging, equitable reading experiences for all learners.
    Act 48 Eligible:
    3 hours
    Intended Audience:
    This virtual workshop is designed for any educator interested in supporting reading for multilingual learners.
    Registration:

  • IN-PERSON BY APPLICATION ONLY Teacher Leaders: Planning with the WIDA ELD Standards Framework

    Description:
    This leadership academy is designed for educators with experience supporting multilingual learners and implementing the WIDA English Language Development (ELD) Standards Framework, this workshop prepares participants to lead and support standards implementation within their schools and districts. Participants will explore how to integrate content and language learning through unit and text analysis, develop meaningful language goals, and examine how Language Functions and Language Features support student meaning-making across content areas. Through collaborative learning and practical application, participants will strengthen their ability to coach and support colleagues in using the WIDA ELD Standards Framework effectively in local educational contexts. Ideal candidates can answer "yes" to the following questions:
    • Have you been asked to provide professional development about the WIDA English Language Development (ELD) Standards Framework to educators in your school or district?
    • Do you engage in co-planning with content/classroom educators on a regular basis?
    • Do you have experience evaluating and/or designing content lessons and units?
    • Do you have a strong background in the WIDA ELD Standards Framework and in working with multilingual learners?
    Participants who complete the workshop will join a WIDA Consortium-wide pilot community of practice with quarterly activities and online discussions.  Learning Outcomes Participants will learn to:
    • Integrate content and language learning by researching the architecture of a content unit
    • Setting unit language goals through unit and text analysis
    • identifying how Language Functions and Language Features help students convey meaning more effectively in content learning
    • Prepare to support other educators in using the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework in their local contexts
    What To Expect
    • Pre-Workshop Activity (1 hour) to be completed before the November 1 meeting
    • Pre-Workshop Webinar (1 hour): Choosing a Priority Key Language Use to be completed before the November 2 meeting
    • Post-Workshop Activity: Explore resources in teacher leader toolkit and engage in self-learning as needed (1–2 hours)
      Important Dates: Webinar: October 26, 2026 | 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
    In-Person Meeting: November 2, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Harrisburg, PA
    Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on September 28, 2026
    Decisions will be communicated via email on October 9, 2026.
    Registration:

  • IN-PERSON: WIDA Writing with Multilingual Learners in the Elementary Grades

    Facilitator:
    WIDA Facilitator
    Description:
    Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (MCIU)
    2 West Lafayette Street, Norristown, PA 19401   This 2-day workshop focuses on writing instruction that supports the use of the Teaching and Learning Cycle as way to empower multilingual writers, not only to produce successful academic writing but also, more importantly, to communicate effectively for a variety of purposes and different audiences. We want students to know how to leverage writing as a powerful tool to understand the world, express themselves effectively, learn from one another, and argue for the things they believe in. This vision requires intentional, language-focused instruction and is strengthened when it occurs through authentic writing tasks in the content areas. In this interactive workshop, we will explore a pedagogical approach that apprentices multilingual learners into writing in various academic genres. Specifically, we’ll look at examples of this in science and consider how this approach develops multilingual learners’ writing skills and their awareness of how language works in written form. This will allow them to become effective and informed writers across content areas. Participants will explore how to
    • Build content area background knowledge with the whole class so that students are equipped to write knowledgeably about the topic
    • Examine the language of mentor texts with students in order to unpack highly valued ways of using language in a specific genre
    • Jointly construct a text with students based on what was learned from those mentor texts
    • Support students as they apply their learning about language choices in a target genre to their independent writing
    • Engage students in a cycle of review, reflection, and revision to increase the effectiveness of their own writing 
    Act 48 Eligible:
    12 hours
    Intended Audience:
    This workshop is designed for elementary grade-level teachers, English language development specialists, and instructional coaches 
    Registration:

  • 2026 PDE ELD Conference

    Description:

    Synchronous virtual sessions – not recorded.

    November 17 – 19, 2026  Come together with a vibrant community of educators to explore the latest research findings and pedagogical practices in multilingual education. Conference sessions highlight strategies and programs that both affirm and leverage the rich identities and experiences of multilingual learners and foster and sustain equity and access for all learners and their families. Please note that sessions will not be recorded.  

    Where: This is a virtual conference. All sessions will occur on Zoom.
    Cost: There is no cost to attend! Registration is free.
    Sessions: You do not need to pre-register for sessions in advance of the conference. 
    Questions: Please email any questions to ELD@Pennon.org 
    Agenda: The agenda and registration will be made available in early September 2026.

    Intended Audience:
    All PreK – 12 educators and administrators

  • Facilitated Online Course WIDA: Considerations When Educating Multilingual Learners with Identified Learning Disabilities

    Facilitator:
    WIDA Instructor TBD
    Description:
    During this 13-week course, participants engage in 1 live webinar and five asynchronous course modules that each consist of three sections: Explore, Make it Work, and Share. They select ideas to try out in their classrooms and share their experiences with colleagues in online discussion boards and one online meeting. The essential question for this workshop is “What do educators need to consider in order to effectively plan for the education of multilingual learners identified with learning disabilities?”

    The course is guided by the following questions:

    1. What are the learning profiles of multilingual learners with identified learning disabilities?
    2. What are the laws that address the education of multilingual learners with learning disabilities? What are educators’ obligations under these laws?
    3. What are the factors to consider when planning instruction for multilingual learners with learning disabilities?
    4. Why is it necessary for educators to collaborate with qualified professionals (e.g., speech-language pathologists, language specialists) when planning effective instruction for multilingual learners with learning disabilities? How can this collaboration generate educational change for multilingual learners with learning disabilities?
    5. How do educators identify, administer, and evaluate instructional accommodations for multilingual learners with learning disabilities?
    Enrollment Deadline: September 11, 2026
    Course Dates: September 14 – December 11, 2026
    Live Webinar: December 1, 2026 | 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
    Act 48 Eligible:
    20 hours
    Intended Audience:
    This virtual workshop is designed for classroom teachers who are ready to try out new ideas in their classrooms and share what they learned with a group of online colleagues.
    Registration:

  • WIDA: Actionable Practices for Centering Newcomers

    Facilitator:
    WIDA Facilitator TBD
    Description:

    Part 1: Asynchronous Online Module

    Part 2: Live Webinar - December 9, 2026 | 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

    Part 3: Live Webinar - December 16, 2026 | 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

    This virtual workshop series is designed to provide K-12 educators with increased awareness and actionable ideas for classroom instruction with newcomer multilingual learners. Through guided activities and dialogue, educators will leave with ways to collaborate with colleagues and ensure access to meaningful, grade-level content in ways that are responsive to newcomers and their families’ unique experiences.

    Participants will be able to...

      • recognize newcomers and their families’ assets that could support their learning experiences.
      • exemplify new ideas for collaborating with other educators in the context of their program model.
      • design instructional practices for newcomers to engage with meaningful, grade-level content.
      • implement student-centered, responsive practices that address the individual needs of newcomers.
     
    Act 48 Eligible:
    5 hours
    Intended Audience:
    This offering is designed for all K-12 educators and administrators serving multilingual learners
    Registration:

  • LIEP Program Evaluation and Data Analysis Training

    Facilitator:
    Bob Measel, Title III Director and Bilingual Education Advisor, Pennsylvania Department of Education Andrea G. Kolb, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Education Officer, Pennon Education
    Description:
    Synchronous virtual session – not recorded. This training is designed to provide an overview of EL data and how to use PDE’s tools to utilize that data in conducting district’s annual LIEP program evaluations at both the school and district levels. This training covers the entire process of program evaluation and improvement planning. Specific topics include:
    • Understanding ACCESS data
    • Setting individual growth and attainment targets for ELs
    • Approaches to using data
    • Determining adequate ELP growth (using individual growth targets with percentile growth references)
    • Assessment types and uses
    • The use of formative information
    • Validity and reliability of assessments for ELs
    • The program evaluation process
    • Program improvement planning and implementation
    Act 48 Eligible:
    3 hours
    Intended Audience:
    This workshop is designed for any educators or support personnel who are responsible for conducting or assisting with annual program evaluations, including entering or analyzing data and/or using data to inform programmatic and/or instructional decisions.
    Registration:

  • IN-PERSON: WIDA Writing with Multilingual Learners in the Secondary Grades

    Facilitator:
    WIDA Facilitator
    Description:
    Secondary educators will join this two-day workshop to focus on writing instruction that supports the use of the Teaching and Learning Cycle to empower multilingual writers, not only to produce successful academic writing but also, more importantly, to communicate effectively for a variety of purposes and audiences. We want students to know how to leverage writing as a powerful tool to understand the world, express themselves effectively, learn from one another, and argue for things they believe in. This vision requires intentional language-focused instruction and is strengthened when it occurs through authentic writing tasks in the content areas. In this interactive workshop, we will explore a pedagogical approach that apprentices multilingual learners into writing various academic genres. Specifically, we will look at examples of this in social studies and consider how this approach develops multilingual learners’ writing skills and their awareness of how language works in written form. This will allow them to become effective and informed writers. Participants will learn how secondary educators:
    • Build content-area background knowledge with the whole class so that students are equipped to write knowledgeably about the topic
    • Explore the language of mentor texts with students in order to unpack highly valued ways of using language in a specific genre
    • Jointly write a text with students based on what was learned from various mentor texts
    • Support students as they apply their learning about language choices in a target genre to their independent writing
    • Engage students in a cycle of review, reflection, and revision to increase the effectiveness of their own writing
    Act 48 Eligible:
    12 hours
    Intended Audience:
    This workshop is designed for secondary grade educators—social studies, science, ELA— English language development specialists, and instructional coaches.
    Registration:

  • WIDA: Bringing Language into Focus: Expectations, Functions, and Features

    Facilitator:
    WIDA Facilitator TBD
    Description:

    Part 1: Asynchonrous Online Module (2 hours)
    Part 2: Live Webinar - May 4, 2027 | 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
    Part 3: Live Webinar - May 11, 2027 | 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

    This workshop gives K–12 educators an opportunity to take a closer look at the Key Language Uses (genre families) by engaging in a deeper exploration of Language Expectations, Language Functions, and Language Features. Participants will learn the importance and purpose of mentor texts to make language visible to students. Participants will engage in exploration of materials and additional resources to support their classroom implementation.

    Participants will be able to...

      • Identify Language Expectations, Functions, and Features aligned to a Key Language Use in a content unit
      • Connect the linguistic resources students bring to this learning context
      • Leverage Language Functions and Language Features with students in instructional practice
    Act 48 Eligible:
    5 hours
    Intended Audience:
    This virtual workshop is designed for K–12 educators and focuses on intentional language instruction in the classroom using the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework.
    Registration:

Add Content


Edit A Content Section


Delete A Content Section

Confirm Delete

Are you sure you want to permanently delete this content item.

Loading
Please wait...

Insert Template

Information