Updated Keystone STARS Performance Standards Available Now! |
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The updated Keystone STARS Performance Standards, Program Manual and accompanying resource documents were released on Aug. 1, 2020, and are available on the Pennsylvania Key website (pakeys.org/keystone-stars) .
The 2020 Keystone STARS Performance Standards have been updated to more clearly convey the intent of the indicators through rewording and addition of clarifications. Thoughtful questions have also been added to the quality indicators to help providers in self-reflection activities and guide discussions with their quality coach.
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Professional Development in Pennsylvania |
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Is Your Professional Development (PD) Registry Profile Complete? |
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The updated Keystone STARS Standards requires Early Childhood Education (ECE) professionals working in STAR 2 facilities or higher maintain a completed profile in The PD Registry (SQ 2.1). An individual's profile is considered complete when an individual's the Career Pathway status is listed as applied or verified.
Questions? Contact the PD Registry team by emailing registry@pakeys.org or calling 1-800-284-6031. The PD Registry is also on Facebook!
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Regarding Face-to-Face Professional Development (PD) Events During COVID-19 |
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Instructors may be making decisions around canceling and/or rescheduling their events in the Professional Development (PD) Registry at this time.
Instructors, keep the following options in mind:
- Rescheduling the event for a future date allows an instructor to move the participants on the roster to the new event date. This may not be an option for all instructors due to the uncertainty at this time.
- Canceling an event is possible and refunds may be given if it is a Pennsylvania Key event. For all other events, it is at the discretion of the organization or instructor to offer a refund.
- If cancelling an event is the only option, email registrants from the email functionality within the roster, give them directions for requesting a refund and remind registrants that the refund process can take up to 10 business days.
The Pennsylvania Key values our partners, instructors and professionals and we appreciate your dedication to ECE professional development during this challenging time.
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Apply To Be An ECE Apprentice Today! |
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Are you interested in improving your program quality? Do you have staff with a CDA and/or college credits who need support attaining an Early Childhood Education (ECE) Associates degree? Join the ECE Apprenticeship Program!
Program Benefits:
- Support services, including academic advising and tutoring;
- T.E.A.C.H paid release time, travel and book reimbursement, 95% of tuition paid;
- 18 college credits for on-the-job learning;
- Accelerated ECE AA degree from CCP;
- Nationally recognized apprenticeship certificate;
- On-site coaching/mentoring for employees; and
- Assistance with BA/certification matriculation.
Training and curriculum development is managed in partnership with Community College of Philadelphia.
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Child Development Associate (CDA) Amnesty Program Extended! |
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Has your CDA Credential lapsed or expired? Not sure how to go about getting it back? Until Dec. 31, 2020, the CDA council began offering a limited time CDA renewal Amnesty program! This means if you completed your CDA any time after Jan. 1, 2010, and did not submit a renewal to keep the CDA current, you can take advantage of this opportunity to reinstate your CDA credential.
The renewal program is eligible for Rising Stars Tuition Assistance (RSTA). To apply for Financial assistance, ECE professionals need to complete their profile in the PD Registry to see the Financial Assistance tab. For more information about RSTA, visit the Rising STARS page on the PA Key website.
You must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Expiration date as far back as Jan. 1, 2010.
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Must meet all current renewal requirements (visit the CDA Council website for more information about the renewal process).
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Apply online using YourCouncil CDA council portal system (for more information on this process, visit the CDA Council website).
The program will run from Jan. 1, 2020, to Dec. 31, 2020. All applications and payments ($125) must be submitted online by Dec. 31, 2020.
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Pennsylvania’s Early Childhood Education Professional Development Organizations Remain Committed to Quality Learning Settings |
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Pennsylvania's Professional Development Organizations (PDOs) remain committed to expanding the availability of high-quality, credit-bearing coursework that reflects developmentally and culturally appropriate content, increase the effectiveness of Early Childhood Education (ECE) professionals across the state, and improve the overall quality of quality child care programs to meet the needs of Pennsylvania's families and children.
PDOs have partnered with Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRCs), Institutes of Higher Education (IHE), and community partners to create hybrid learning through in-person, online, or mixed media learning settings so that ECE professionals in Pennsylvania can continue to safely work toward their career goals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To find out if you are eligible for a PDO-funded opportunity, contact the PDO that serves your community:
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Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) - ecepdo.phmc.org
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Serves: Philadelphia County and the Southeast Region (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties)
Once you contact your PDO, their staff can help you make sure your PD Registry account is up-to-date including your current Career Pathway level, create a professional development plan for your career's next steps, and determine if you are eligible for funded credit-bearing coursework toward a credential or degree.
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How To Recover Your Old PD Registry Account Instead of Creating A New One |
If you are unable to login to your PD Registry account but know you have used the PD Registry before, contact the PD Registry Help Desk by emailing registry@pakeys.org or calling 1-800-284-6031 so that the PD Registry team can help you locate your account.
You may be asked for the following information to help recover your account:
- name;
- email;
- address; and
- date of birth.
Once your account is located, you will be able to change your password, complete your profile and apply for PA's Career Pathway, update your employment, and more!
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Online Professional Development
Opportunities
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Pennsylvania Department of Human Services 10-Hour Health and Safety Training Available Now in the PD Registry |
The 10-hour Health and Safety course is required by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning's Bureau of Certification Services. Every staff person in a certified child care program must complete this 10-hour course to meet licensing requirements.
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FREE or Low Cost Online Trainings in the PD Registry |
The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is now offering eight online courses through the PD Registry! These courses include:
Login to your PD Registry account and click on each course to view the course description and register. If you have any questions or problems please contact Barry Wiestling (bwiestling@pa.gov).
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Registration for PAC-TE's 2020 Virtual Conference Open |
PAC-TE is a nonprofit professional association for all those in Pennsylvania who are engaged in the preparation and development of education professionals. PAC-TE is dedicated to providing strong advocacy for professional preparation within the commonwealth to promote quality professional preparation programs and to provide opportunity for individual professional growth for all persona engaged in professional preparation.
This year's conference PAC-TE Teacher Education Assembly Sharpening the Focus of Teacher Education will be held virtually from October 28-30, 2020.
Registration for the conference includes:
- General sessions with the Pennsylvania Department of Education on “hot” topics
- 50 + small group sessions highlighting Pennsylvania professional educators’ preparation programs and research
- Focus Group-sponsored sessions
- Graduate student research presentations
- Institution-alike and focus group meetings
- Journal author sessions
Registration for non-members is $200.
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You are receiving this email because you have a registered email address on The PD Registry. If you think you are receiving this email by mistake or you would like to unsubscribe, please email registry@pakeys.org or call 1-800-284-6031.
Find more information about Quality Early Learning in Pennsylvania
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The Pennsylvania Key | 200 N. 3rd St. | Harrisburg, PA 17101
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