About Us

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Mission

Intermediate Unit 1 is a public educational service agency dedicated to providing quality leadership and services to the schools and communities of Fayette, Greene, and Washington Counties to assure their success as they prepare all learners to meet the challenges of an information society.

Types of Support Provided

Cost Savings

Intermediate Unit 1 offers school districts the opportunity to maximize buying power and lower costs through consortia purchasing.

In 2006, school districts in IU1 saved over $15,000,000 in healthcare and school supply joint purchases.

Staff Development

Research tells us that student achievement is significantly improved by effective, well-trained teachers.

Intermediate Unit 1 helps districts provide quality staff development at very low costs.

In 2006, there were over 10,000 administrators, teachers, and support staff registrants for courses and workshops offered by IU1.

IU1 staff development programs include:

• Over 120 graduate level Continuing Professional Education courses offered at a fraction of the cost of university courses
• Workshops for administrators, teachers, and support staff
• Principal Certification Program
• Online classes
• Information councils for administrators and teachers

Technology Services

Technology can greatly enhance learning for students. Intermediate Unit 1 offers the following technology support to districts:

• Technology training
• Technical assistance
• Distance learning
• Online learning
• Equipment repair
• Streaming videos on demand
• Lending library
• Purchasing
• Data collection

Grant Supported Programs

By seeking grant funding, IU1 offers districts many projects and programs that may not otherwise be available to them. Some recent projects districts participated in include:

• KITS Regional Wide Area Network - including hardware, software, and curriculum integration resources
• Behavior management training for over 230 bus drivers and paraprofessionals
• Pricipals' Academy
• PSSA quarterly progress assessments
• Math Resource Center
• Robotics Curriculum
• Reading and math coaching initiative
• Student career awareness and planning

Liaison to the Pennsylvania Department of Education

Intermediate Unit 1 informs districts of the mandates issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and provides training/consulting to help districts meet the demands of the mandates.

Consulting Services

Intermediate Unit 1 employs expert consultants in all key educational areas who work with schools in various capacities.

Topics include but are not limited to:

• Reading, math, and science
• Early childhood development
• Behavior management
• Autism
• Curriculum development
• Transition
• English as a Second Language (ESL)
• Federal programs
• Tutoring initiatives

Direct Student Services

Special Education

IU1 employs special education supervisors, teachers, psychologists, social workers, paraprofessionals, and other support personnel who work to provide special needs students in district schools with education designed to meet their unique needs. In the tri-county area, the IU currently operates:

• 35 preschool programs
• 114 special education classes
• 53 itinerant programs
• Two alternative schools

Nonpublic Educational Services

Intermediate Unit 1 provides federal and state services to over 2,300 non-public school students including: NCLB, Title Programs, and Act 89 State Auxiliary Services.

Adult Basic Literacy Education

Intermediate Unit 1 serves over 800 adult students per year offering basic education, literacy, GED preparation, and academic training for re-entry into the workforce.

English as a Second Language (ESL)

IU1 provides ESL educational services to more than 60 students whose native language is not English.