In the 1996-97 school year the Bethlehem Area School District began a multi-year process of phasing into its 22 schools internationally benchmarked standards in English language arts, reading, and mathematics that were adopted from the National Center for Education in the Economy (NCEE). Becoming a standards driven school district has been and continues to be a complex task that requires the district to change the way it does business. These changes have driven the staff development in the district in recent years and will continue to do so for years to come. Most of the staff training time available to the district has been used to support, in one way or another, the standards initiative. Integrating the standards from NCEE and Pennsylvania with the district's curriculum requires extensive curriculum modifications. Helping each child achieve the district's and Pennsylvania's standards requires educators to acquire research-based teaching behaviors and innovative instructional strategies. Using test data to examine progress towards performance target is a crucial component of the district's plan to improve student performance.

The development of the district's staff development plan, which includes integrating standards from NCEE and Pennsylvania, is consistent with the Act 48 Professional Education Plan Guidelines published by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

In an effort to further encourage staff development within the district, the Bethlehem Area School District began a Flex Program in the 2003-2004 school year. Through this Flex Program a wide variety of staff development opportunities are provided to instructional staff.

For more information on Pennsylvania's Act 48 Law or BASD's Act 48 Plan and/or Flex Program see the links to the side of this narrative.

Any specific questions related to BASD's Act 48 Plan and/or Flex Program should be directed to the Associate Superintendent's Office, 610.861.0500, ext. 60246.