Pennsylvania’s academic landscape for arts education is entering an important new chapter. After more than two decades, the 2002 academic standards for the arts underwent significant revision throughout the summer and fall of 2025 and into the spring of 2026. Now, these updated standards are ready for public review—and this is where your voice, expertise, and advocacy truly matter.

The State Board of Education’s Academic Standards/Chapter 4 Committee has completed its initial review of the updated Arts Standards and is now seeking feedback from stakeholders across the Commonwealth. Public hearings will be held to gather input, and written comments are also being accepted. As educators and leaders in the arts, you have a vital role in shaping these standards to support the future of arts learning for all Pennsylvania students.

Information about the revision process, committee membership, and background materials is available on the State Board of Education’s Current Initiatives and Regulations webpage. This resource also includes a link to the Recommendations for Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Arts. The recommendations can be viewed by standard ID code, and a convenient discipline-by-discipline view by clicking on the following links.

      Dance             Media Arts             Music             Theatre           Visual Arts

A Statewide Professional Learning Experience for Administrators, Curriculum Leaders, and Teacher Leaders

The Standards Aligned System (SAS) Showcase: Exploring the Redesigned SAS Website will help administrators, curriculum leaders, and teacher leaders navigate the updated SAS website and apply its tools to strengthen standards aligned instruction, curriculum development, and assessment practices.

Sessions will provide:

• Immediate, practical training for new leaders or leaders who need a refresher
• Increased confidence navigating the new SAS Website
• Clearer alignment between curriculum, instruction, and assessment
• Information for administrators on the new PD Center focused on Act 45!
• Access to PDE staff for ongoing support

The Pennsylvania Department of Education's 2026 SAS Institute, is scheduled for December 6-9, 2026, at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center.

The SAS Institute convenes educational leaders from across the Commonwealth for four days of professional learning focused on strengthening systems, advancing instructional leadership, and improving organizational health.

Proposed sessions should offer clear learning outcomes, align to the Institute theme, and present evidence informed practices that support high quality, human centered systems.

Session content should introduce a well defined problem of practice or opportunity and provide research informed or field tested strategies supported by real examples, models, or demonstrations. Proposals should explicitly connect the work to Pennsylvania’s priorities, standards, or systems.  

We're happy to cover the registration fee for the primary speaker! To ensure this, please make sure the primary speaker submits the Request for Proposal (RFP), as primary speaker designations cannot be changed after submission.