Standards Aligned System (SAS) Redesign Announcement

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is pleased to share an important update regarding the Commonwealth’s Standards Aligned System (SAS), a foundational digital resource supporting LEAs statewide. SAS has long served as a central hub for academic standards, assessments, curriculum frameworks, instructional materials, professional development, and statewide initiatives. To continue meeting the needs of today’s educators, SAS has undergone a full redesign for the first time in nearly seven years.

Why Modernize SAS?

This redesign is part of PDE’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that all LEAs can easily access high quality tools aligned to Pennsylvania’s academic priorities. Modernizing SAS will:

• Improve user experience through more intuitive navigation and clearer pathways.
• Incorporate updated technology for better site speed, search performance, and reliability.
• Reflect contemporary digital design standards with a clean, modern visual presentation.
• Align SAS more closely with the evolving ways educators search for, curate, and use instructional resources.
• Enhance consistency and functionality across all SAS content areas and tools.

What’s Changing?

A Modernized Home Page

The redesigned home page elevates the essential elements of SAS—Standards; Assessments; Curriculum Framework; Instruction, Materials, & Resources; Professional Development; and Curriculum Resource Toolkits —through a clearer layout and streamlined content blocks. Educators will continue to find familiar features such as the Welcome to SAS overview and direct access to the PD Center for professional learning opportunities, now displayed more prominently and with improved navigation, as well as a new area for PDE Spotlight -- this feature will provide announcements related to statewide initiatives, newly released resources, and upcoming changes—such as the release and implementation of new standards—along with associated timelines, resources, and supporting documents.

Reorganized and Modernized Navigation

Navigation improvements make it easier for educators to find the tools they use most. The redesign organizes SAS content into clear, intuitive groups.

These updates streamline pathways across major SAS tools and provide quicker access to Curriculum Resource Toolkits and other high value educator supports.

Updated Header and Footer

The redesigned header improves usability by highlighting Quick Links, Search, SAS Tools, and clearer user account notifications — including updated messaging regarding multi factor authentication requirements.

The footer has been refreshed with cleaner access to PDE information such as Help, About Us, Contact Us, Terms of Use, and FAQ.

The chat feature is available on each page.  

Improved Functionality Across SAS Pages

Individual pages across SAS received updates to ensure consistency in layout, readability, and performance, including:

• Streamlined access to toolkits such as the CPR Toolkit, Information & Media Literacy Toolkit, Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Toolkit, Seal of Biliteracy Toolkit, and others.
• Updated presentation of Curriculum Maps and instructional frameworks across ELA, Math, and Personal Finance.  
• Enhanced visibility for resources such as STEELS Hub and Online Assessment Resources, ensuring educators can more easily engage with frequently used materials.  

What Does This Means for You

The redesigned SAS will remain a comprehensive, research based resource designed to improve student achievement. Educators will find a more intuitive, efficient experience with improved access to materials they depend on daily — whether searching for standards, utilizing the learning progressions, exploring curriculum frameworks, accessing assessment tools, or participating in professional learning.

For questions or additional information, educators may continue to contact the SAS Help Desk at helpdesk@pdesas.org or 1-877-973-3727.