Planning for continuous improvement of leadership, teaching, and learning is critically important to ensuring that all students have access to a world-class education that prepares them for college, career, and life.

Pennsylvania’s cycle of improvement is grounded in evidence-based approaches that can both improve student outcomes and increase return on investment, as resources are spent on programs and practices likely to have a positive impact. Opportunities to create, assess, and adjust throughout the cycle empowers local education agencies and schools to engage all stakeholders in pursuit of a shared vision for student success.

Chapter 4 specifies planning requirements for school entities. A school entity is defined as a local education provider (e.g., public school district, charter school, cyber charter school, AVTS or Intermediate Unit). These planning requirements are as follows:

1. Every 3 years, a school entity must submit to the Secretary for approval a professional education plan. The professional education plan must be made available for public inspection and comment for 28 days, and then it can be approved by the board and then submitted to PDE.  
    
2. Every 6 years, a school entity must submit to the Department for approval an induction plan. The induction plan must be made available for public inspection and comment for 28 days, and then it can be approved by the school entity's governing board and then submitted to PDE.  
   
   
3. Every 6 years, a school entity must develop and implement a comprehensive and integrated K-12 program of student services. This student services plan must be made available for public inspection and comment for 28 days, and then it can be approved by the school entity's governing board. 
   
   
4. Every 3 years, each school district must develop and submit to the department a special education plan. The special education plan must be made available for public inspection and comment for 28 days, and then it can be approved by the school entity's governing board and then submitted to PDE. 
   
   
5. Every 6 years, each school district must develop and implement a gifted education plan. The gifted education plan must be made available for public inspection and comment for 28 days, and then it can be approved by the school entity's governing board. The CLIU 21 does not provide direct student services for gifted education and is not required to submit a plan.