Check out the first post for our BRAND NEW blog! 

Keeping Up With Keystones - Best Practices for Student Success

Standardized tests have played a role in the American education system since the 1800s. After the No Child Left Behind Act (2002) was passed, educators experienced even more pressure to increase student performance on such tests to be considered an effective teacher. As Pennsylvania teachers, we are responsible for preparing students for the end of year tests such as PSSAs, Keystones, or Advanced Placement exams. Many teachers ask How can I best prepare my students for the Keystone?

I was able to sit down with Jennifer Henney, a biology teacher at Penn-Trafford High School, and ask her about her preparations for the Keystone exam each May.

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Colleagues,

As seen in recent news reports, teachers are spending out of pocket money to support their classrooms. Science teachers conducting lab activities often have a greater need for resources. 

Do you have all the funding and supplies needed to teach?

As a fellow science teacher, I am aware that some science teachers have adequate funding while others are in desperate need of resources. Little is known about science funding, and I need your input. 

Help me document funding needs, funding inequities, and what it costs to offer high quality science instruction. Please consider taking this 5-10-minute online survey to give your perspective on funding and resources in high school science classrooms. Participants will be eligible to be entered in a drawing for one of ten $25 gift certificates to Amazon for completing the survey. 

Use the link below to complete the survey. Please forward to colleagues who may be interested in sharing their experiences.

https://goo.gl/6vEn6u

Emily Cayton

Science Education Doctoral Candidate

North Carolina State University

Thanks to Cathy Stephenson for organizing the basket raffle at the conference. We raised $700 for member professional development scholarships. Thanks also to the board members who donated the baskets of goodies.

Share your thoughts on how PSTA should deliver PD in the future. Check out the About Us page.

Congratulations to the PSTA logo contest winners.

1^st Place ~ Emilia D, 10^th Grade Student at West Scranton High School

Sponsoring PSTA Member:  Scott Dustman

2^nd Place ~ Keera D, 10 Grade Student at York Country Day School

Sponsoring PSTA Member:  Stacey Filippone

3^rd Place ~ Savanna S, 4^th Grade Student at Dunmore Elementary Center

Sponsoring PSTA Member:  Jenna Urban

Here is the winning design:

PLEASE JOIN US IN WELCOMING OUR NEWLY ELECTED PSTA BOARD MEMBERS:

1. Vice President: Galen Kreiser (galenkreiser[AT] gmail.com)
2. Region II (North Central) Representative: Karen Avery (kavery[AT]montoursville.k12.pa.us)
3. Region VIII (Northwestern) Representative: Diane MacWilliams (macwilliams[AT]mtsd.org)
4. Region X (Southeastern) Representative: Valarie Loughnane (VLoughnane[AT]methacton.org)
5. Region XII (Western) Representative: Samantha Ramaswamy (sam.jo.carney[AT]gmail.com)
6. Western District College Representative: Miranda Crostley (mcrotsley[AT]gmail.com)

Interested in exhibiting at our conference? Please check out our conference exhibitors information on the Conference Page.

The PSTA Annual Conference is a great place to share what you know about your area of science and how you teach it. Don't be shy about sharing your knowledge with other teachers. They make a great audience and are very supportive. Click HERE to get to the proposal form.

We're still looking for a few good conference sessions. Want to share how you teach a certain topic? Click on the Conference page to get to the proposal submission form.

Check out the PSTA Events page to register for the annual conference now.