School Improvement & Federal Programs Support

Supporting compliance-driven systems with strategic, sustainable implementation

School Improvement

The Westmoreland Intermediate Unit’s Interdisciplinary Team provides coordinated, research-based support to schools identified for improvement, grounded in Pennsylvania’s evolving approach to school improvement and the PAs Theory of Action. Building on a shift from compliance-driven models to systems-focused continuous improvement, our work emphasizes strengthening core instructional practices, leadership capacity, and organizational coherence to improve outcomes for all students. Click here to view PA’s Theory of Action for School Improvement (opens in a new tab).

Guided by the PA Theory of Action, we partner with schools to analyze data, identify root causes, and implement evidence-based strategies that address both instructional and systemic needs. Our interdisciplinary model brings together expertise across Curriculum and Professional Learning Services, Student Services, Training and Consultation, and Educational Enterprise Services to ensure aligned, comprehensive support. Through ongoing coaching, progress monitoring, and reflective practices, we support schools in building sustainable systems that extend beyond initial designation.

This approach ensures that school improvement is not an isolated initiative, but a strategic, integrated process that strengthens the entire educational system and leads to lasting impact.

Westmoreland County School Improvement Network

The Westmoreland County School Improvement Network brings together school and district leaders in a structured, collaborative forum to advance continuous improvement across systems. Through monthly engagements, participants work through the full school improvement planning cycle, from data analysis and root-cause identification to goal setting, implementation, and progress monitoring, ensuring alignment to Pennsylvania’s school improvement framework and expectations.

Guided by the WIU, the network provides timely state updates, access to critical resources, and direct support in navigating evolving requirements such as the Future Ready Comprehensive Planning Process. Leaders engage in meaningful dialogue around shared challenges, leveraging tools such as initiative inventories, PVAAS data, and evidence-based practices to strengthen decision-making, align priorities, and protect system capacity.

Beyond planning, the network fosters collaboration across districts, creating opportunities to share best practices, develop collective solutions, and build regional coherence. By connecting local work to state and national trends, the WIU ensures that districts are not working in isolation, but as part of a coordinated system focused on improving outcomes for all students.

What This Network Provides:

Ongoing guidance through the full school improvement planning cycle
Access to PDE updates, tools, and resources
Structured collaboration with regional leaders
Support in aligning initiatives and strengthening systems
Focus on data-informed, sustainable decision-making

Monthly Network Focus Areas:

School Improvement Plan updates and timelines
Data analysis and priority setting
Root cause analysis and strategy selection
Progress monitoring and continuous improvement

State & Federal Legislative Updates

The WIU provides timely and relevant state and federal legislative updates to help districts understand the direct connection between policy decisions and educational practice. Through resources such as the State Mandates Newsletter and ongoing communication, we translate complex legislative requirements into clear, actionable guidance aligned to current district priorities. Our approach emphasizes not only awareness but also the importance of advocacy, ensuring that educational leaders are informed, prepared, and positioned to engage in policy discussions that impact their systems. By connecting legislative updates to real-time initiatives and emerging trends, we help districts make informed decisions that align with compliance requirements and strategic goals. This work strengthens the intersection of policy and practice, enabling districts to respond proactively and effectively within an evolving educational landscape.

Advocacy & Policy Resources

To further support district awareness and advocacy efforts, we encourage leaders to engage with the following organizations for additional insights, updates, and opportunities to inform policy at the state and national levels:

AESA (Association of Educational Service Agencies)
AASA (The School Superintendents Association)
PASA (Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators)
PSBA (Pennsylvania School Boards Association)

Westmoreland County Federal Programs Coordinators Network

The Westmoreland County Federal Programs Coordinators Network provides comprehensive, ongoing support to district leaders responsible for managing federal programs, ensuring alignment with complex and evolving state and federal requirements. Through a structured series of meetings, monthly trainings, and curated communications, the WIU delivers timely updates, technical guidance, and actionable resources that support effective program implementation, monitoring, and compliance.

The network is designed to move beyond compliance by building deep expertise in areas such as funding allocations, budget alignment, evidence-based program design, and the coordination of federal initiatives including Titles I, II, III, and IV. Participants engage in meaningful consultation, collaborative problem-solving, and real-time application of guidance related to planning processes, monitoring systems, and legislative updates.

Through access to statewide trainings, model resources, and expert facilitation, coordinators are equipped to navigate requirements such as grant amendments, program evaluation, and equitable service obligations with confidence and accuracy. The WIU ensures alignment across narratives, budgets, and implementation practices, reducing compliance risk while maximizing the impact of federal funding on student outcomes.

By fostering collaboration across districts and maintaining a consistent focus on both compliance and continuous improvement, this network strengthens local capacity, promotes efficiency, and ensures that federal programs are implemented as part of a cohesive, strategic system rather than in isolation.