Coming Soon! Updated Edition of the Pennsylvania Learning Standards for Early Childhood

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) will soon release an updated edition of the Pennsylvania Learning Standards for Early Childhood. The update includes changes to the Science Standards to ensure alignment to the newly adopted STEELS Standards. The Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability (STEELS) Standards were adopted by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education in January 2022. Implementation of the STEELS standards in all Pennsylvania Schools begins in the 2025-2026 school year.

Revisions include updates to the Pennsylvania Early Childhood Learning Standards for:

• Infant/Toddler,
• Prekindergarten,
• Kindergarten,
• Grade 1,
• Grade 2 and the
• Early Learning Standards Continuum

‘Approaches to Learning Through Play’ and ‘Social/Emotional Development’ domains are listed first in the standards, as these foundational skills help children develop the competencies essential for success in school, life, and careers. The 2024 Pennsylvania Learning Standards for Early Childhood no longer include the ‘Partnerships for Learning’ section. Starting in September 2025, Providers will be required to adopt The Pennsylvania Family Engagement Birth through College, Career, Community Ready Framework.

All licensed child care facilities, including PA Pre-K Counts, HSSAP, and Migrant Education programs, will receive one complimentary copy of the following:

• 2024 Infant, Toddler Learning Standards for Early Childhood
• 2024 Pre-Kindergarten Learning Standards for Early Childhood
• 2024 Early Learning Standards Continuum

Eligible providers should expect their complimentary copies to be delivered by mail between April and May 2025.

Early Intervention service agencies, Pennsylvania PQAS instructors, and PQAS organizations will receive an email with the opportunity to request a complimentary set of the standards. Responses will be due by May 31, 2025.

Pennsylvania Learning Standards for Early Childhood will be available for viewing, download, and printing on the Pennsylvania Key website. Physical copies will also be available for purchase.

An asynchronous training on the transition to the new 2024 Pennsylvania Learning Standards for Early Childhood will be accessible on the PD Registry later in April 2025, titled “2024 Pennsylvania Learning Standards for Early Childhood Revisions Overview.”

Please direct all questions regarding the new 2024 Learning Standards for Early Childhood to ra-pwpaels@pa.gov.