Statewide Release

April-June Professional Learning Opportunities
Below you will find a list of upcoming courses that are now available for enrollment in the PD Portal. For more information about any of these courses, please visit the PD Portal, open the course catalog, and review the syllabus. If you are interested in enrolling in a course, please consult with your in-house professional development specialist (IHPDS) to determine if the course meets your professional learning goals.

  • Download the PD Portal User Guide which includes directions for logging in, viewing course descriptions, and enrolling.
  • Visit the PD Portal FAQ page for answers to questions about enrollment, navigating and completing courses, and tech support.
Online Courses Beginning in May

Effective Employer Engagement Within the Workforce Development System - starts May 3, enroll by April 28.

New: Improving Instruction for Supplemental Distance Learning - starts May 17, enroll by May 16.
  • In this new course developed by the Distance Education Technical Assistance Project, participants will learn ways they can improve their instruction for supplemental distance learning by focusing on how they communicate with students, using mobile-friendly resources, and selecting supplemental distance resources. Participants will finish the course with a concrete plan for solving a teaching/learning problem encountered at their agencies.
Offered on Demand

Introduction to the Foundation Skills Framework
Enroll anytime and have 30 days from the enrollment date to complete the course.

PA CASAS Training Courses - Observations Delayed
Enroll anytime and have 30 days from the enrollment date to complete the course.
Choose from three course options:
  • PA CASAS Training Paper-Based for practitioners who will administer paper-based CASAS tests.
  • PA CASAS Training eTests for practitioners who will administer CASAS eTests.
  • PA CASAS Training Paper-Based and eTests for practitioners who will administer both paper-based CASAS tests and eTests.
Please note: The full 45-day PA CASAS Training requires participants to complete a final assignment: three administrations of the CASAS assessment performed under the observation of a trained peer and signed off by the agency administrator or IHPDS. This requirement has been temporarily waived due to COVID-19. Participants will complete all other activities in these courses and be asked to complete a test administration/ observation assignment at a later date.

PA TABE 11&12 Training - Observations Delayed
Enroll anytime and have 30 days from the enrollment date to complete the course.
Please note: The full 45-day PA TABE 11&12 Training requires participants to complete a final assignment: three administrations of the TABE 11&12 assessment performed under the observation of a trained peer and signed off by the agency administrator or IHPDS. This requirement has been temporarily waived due to COVID-19. Participants will complete all other activities in this course and be asked to complete a test administration/observation assignment at a later date.

Staff Induction Verification Course
New staff members who are participating in the staff induction process enroll in this course after they have completed the required activities.

Staff Induction Module Courses
This series of modules is designed for new agency staff members as part of a customizable onboarding process. Existing staff may also choose to complete these modules at any time.

On-Demand Modules
On-demand modules are offered in the PD Portal to provide participants with flexible learning opportunities on a variety of topics. Please note that these on-demand modules are not part of the series of modules designed for staff induction.
New module: Introduction to Integrated Education and Training

Tutor Training Module Courses
These modules cover the foundational skills needed by volunteers working in adult education programs. The eight modules serve as a component of volunteer tutor and classroom aide training and can be completed at any time.

Friday Lunchtime Webinar Resources
The Professional Development System offers Friday Lunchtime Webinars most Fridays at noon. Enroll in Friday Lunchtime Webinar Resources in the course catalog to access the complete schedule of webinars, the webinar link, presentation slides, and recordings.